Max Scherzer strikes out 10, passes Gaylord Perry on all-time list as Blue Jays sweep Mariners

Max Scherzer turned back the calendar Sunday, striking out a season-high 10 batters to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to a 7-0 win over the Seattle Mariners that completed a three-game sweep.

The 42-year-old right-hander allowed just one hit over seven innings, giving him his best start in a Blue Jays uniform. With his 3,535th career strikeout — recorded when he fanned Cal Raleigh in the seventh inning — Scherzer moved past Gaylord Perry into ninth place on baseball's all-time strikeout list. He is now 19 strikeouts behind former teammate Justin Verlander, who is currently on the injured list and has said he plans to retire at the end of this season.

The sold-out crowd at Rogers Centre gave Scherzer standing ovations twice — first when his historic achievement was displayed on the videoboard, then as he left the mound. He struck out the side in the first inning and was in control throughout, with just a second-inning walk to Taylor Ward and a fourth-inning double by Raleigh blemishing his line.

Alejandro Kirk and Kazuma Okamoto powered the offence with home runs, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. added an RBI double. The Blue Jays broke open the game with three runs in the eighth.

The sweep keeps Toronto in chase of the wild-card spot. The Blue Jays remain 1.5 games behind the Cleveland Guardians, who hold the third wild-card position. After an off-day Monday, Toronto plays a pivotal three-game series against Cleveland at Progressive Field.