Scherzer Shines Again as Blue Jays Power Past Twins 10-4

TORONTO (AP) — Max Scherzer delivered another strong performance on the mound, while Alejandro Kirk and Andrés Giménez added home run power as the Toronto Blue Jays rolled to a 10-4 win over the Minnesota Twins on Monday night.

Scherzer (5-2) tossed six innings, allowing four runs on four hits, including a pair of homers, while striking out five and walking one. The veteran right-hander extended his career dominance over the Twins, improving to 10-2 in 19 starts against them, and earned his third consecutive win.

Toronto jumped on Twins starter Joe Ryan early, plating four runs in the first inning. Bo Bichette opened the scoring with an RBI single, Daulton Varsho followed with a sacrifice fly, and Kirk capped the inning with a two-run homer — his 11th of the season. Giménez added to the early offensive outburst, launching a solo homer to lead off the second — his sixth of the year — pushing the Blue Jays’ lead to 5-0.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., returning to the lineup as designated hitter after nursing a hamstring issue, added a two-run single in the sixth inning to help seal the win. It was his first start since August 18.

Despite a two-homer effort from Minnesota’s Matt Wallner — a solo shot in the fourth and a two-run blast in the sixth for his second career multi-homer game — the Twins continued their slide, losing for the sixth time in seven games.

Ryan (12-7) struggled out of the gate, allowing six runs on seven hits across five innings. It marked his second straight loss and tied a season high in runs allowed.

Toronto improved to a dominant 30-9 at home and is now an incredible 57-3 when scoring five or more runs.

Up Next:
The series continues Tuesday, with Blue Jays right-hander Chris Bassitt (11-7, 4.18 ERA) set to face off against Twins righty Bailey Ober (4-7, 5.05 ERA).