Scherzer struggles as Toronto Blue Jays drop 7-1 decision to Boston Red Sox

By Canadian Press on September 24, 2025.

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays’ grip on first place in the American League East Division standings weakened again Wednesday after a 7-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

Blue Jays starter Max Scherzer gave up three runs in the first inning and allowed a Masataka Yoshida solo shot in the fifth. Carlos Narvaez iced it with a three-run blast in the eighth inning off reliever Jose Berrios.

Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet (18-5) kept the Rogers Centre crowd of 39,438 hushed by limiting the Blue Jays to three hits over eight shutout innings.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a solo homer for Toronto in the ninth.

Toronto has dropped six of its last seven games. The Red Sox outhit the Blue Jays 12-4.

Toronto’s magic number to clinch its first division title since 2015 remained at four. The Blue Jays’ lead on New York was trimmed to a half-game in the division race.

The Yankees were home to the last-place Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night.

The Blue Jays (90-68), who hold the tiebreaker advantage over New York, have already secured a playoff spot.

Scherzer (5-5) allowed four earned runs and 10 hits over five innings with five strikeouts.

Boston (87-71) holds the second of three wild-card spots in the AL. The Red Sox have won six of their last nine games.

Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was ejected in the seventh inning for arguing a strike call. Toronto hitting coach David Popkins was also tossed.

TAKEAWAYS

Blue Jays: Designated hitter Anthony Santander lined out and struck out twice in his first start since missing nearly four months due to a shoulder injury.

Red Sox: Crochet showed the form that has him among the contenders for the AL Cy Young Award. He had six strikeouts and didn’t walk a batter.

KEY MOMENT

Romy Gonzalez hit a two-run single in the first inning, one of five straight Boston hits in the frame.

KEY STAT

The Red Sox trimmed their magic number for a post-season berth to two.

UP NEXT

Right-hander Brayan Bello (11-8, 3.34 earned-run average) is scheduled to start for Boston in the three-game series finale on Thursday night. The Blue Jays have yet to name their starter.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 24, 2025.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press