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Max Scherzer Earns Standing Ovation From Blue Jays Fans After Spring Training Gem

The Toronto Blue Jays got 3.2 solid innings out of veteran Max Scherzer on Sunday, all after Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner seemingly poked the bear.
Sam Connon|
Dunedin, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning during spring training at TD Ballpark.
Dunedin, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning during spring training at TD Ballpark. | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

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Toronto Blue JaysPhiladelphia Phillies

DUNEDIN, Fla. — Max Scherzer and Trea Turner, once teammates on the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers, were at odds on Sunday.

Scherzer tossed a 91 mile-per-hour fastball to Turner to open the Grapefruit League contest between the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies. Turner took the pitch, which was called a strike, then immediately motioned for an automatic ball-strike challenge.

The call was upheld – the ball was safely inside the zone – but Turner smirked back at the mound regardless. Scherzer was outspoken about his distain for the ABS system after his spring training debut last Tuesday, and it seems Turner was well aware of his former teammates' thoughts.

The very next pitch, Scherzer got Turner to pop out to second. The veteran righty sat down Brandon Marsh and Bryson Stott as well, making it through the first inning on just eight pitches.

Scherzer gave up a two-out, solo home run to Kody Clemens in the second, but he recorded two strikeouts in the otherwise spotless inning. He struck out two more batters in a 1-2-3 third, then forced two groundouts before getting the hook in the fourth.

On his way back to the dugout, Scherzer got a standing ovation from the home crowd at TD Ballpark.

Scherzer agreed to a one-year, $15.5 million contract with the Blue Jays late last month, opting to head north of the border for his age-40 season.

Between his time with the Detroit Tigers, Nationals, Dodgers, New York Mets and Texas Rangers, Scherzer boasts a 216-112 record, 3.16 ERA, 1.078 WHIP, 3,407 strikeouts and a 74.5 WAR. The eight-time All-Star has won three Cy Youngs and two World Series rings over the course of his career.

Toronto went on to beat Philadelphia 5-4 on Sunday. The Blue Jays will return to action Monday against the Tigers.

Related MLB Stories

  • TOR, PHI TRADE HOMERS: While walks and wild pitches wound up deciding Sunday's spring training game between the Blue Jays and Phillies, the contest opened up with five quick home runs. CLICK HERE
  • PUJOLS' GRAND PLAN: On top of managing the Dominican Republic at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, future Hall of Fame slugger Albert Pujols is eying an MLB job. CLICK HERE
  • GIOLITO SET TO RETURN: The Red Sox will trot out Lucas Giolito against the Blue Jays on Thursday, just over 12 months since the former All-Star had elbow surgery. CLICK HERE

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Sam Connon
SAM CONNON

Sam Connon is a staff writer covering baseball for “Fastball on SI.’’ He previously covered UCLA Athletics for On SI’s All Bruins site, and is a UCLA graduate, with his work there as a sports columnist receiving awards from the College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Connon also wrote for On SI’s New England Patriots site, Patriots Country, and he was on the Patriots and Boston Red Sox beats at Prime Time Sports Talk. Sam lives in Boston.

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