+34The Toronto Blue Jays closed a disappointing 2026 season with a 5-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds at Rogers Centre, finishing last in the American League East at 79-83 a year after reaching the World Series.
TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays ended a disappointing season with a 5-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday afternoon at Rogers Centre. Veteran starter Max Scherzer delivered a vintage performance, striking out seven over seven-plus innings.
He allowed six hits and issued one walk. Brandon Valenzuela and Charles McAdoo homered for Toronto, which finished last in the American League East Division standings at 79-83. Valenzuela hit a two-run shot in the second inning off Reds starter Brandon Williamson (5-5), and Toronto added two more runs in the third. McAdoo added an insurance run with a solo shot in the eighth.
Blue Jays Playoff Hopes and Farewells
Expectations were high for the Blue Jays after they reached the World Series last fall. Injuries and underperformance prevented a return to the playoffs. The Blue Jays briefly held the final wild-card spot earlier this month, but a stretch of seven losses in nine games sealed their fate. The weekend interleague series provided a potential farewell for players not under contract next season.
Scherzer (4-9), who will decide on his future plans in the off-season, tipped his cap to the sellout crowd of 42,131 at the start of the game. Designated hitter George Springer, in the final season of a six-year deal, received a standing ovation when he led off in the first inning. Springer got another standing ovation when pinch-runner Sean Keys replaced him in the third inning. The spectators rose again when Scherzer was pulled in the eighth.
It was the 61st sellout of the season at Rogers Centre. Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had the day off after an eventful week that included an apology for comments in a recent podcast interview. He was criticized after saying his 14-year, US$500-million contract was for what he had already accomplished, not for what he was projected to do.
Reds Finish Last and MLB Schedule
Reds: Cincinnati (75-87) started the season at 20-11, but struggles in May sent the Reds into last place in the National League Central. They spent all but eight days after that month in the division basement. CP24's Andrew Brennan says fans are still cheering for the Jays, despite the season wrapping without making the playoffs. If a new labour deal is in place, Toronto will kick off its 2027 regular season on March 25 at New York.
The collective bargaining agreement between Major League Baseball and the players' association expires Dec. 1. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 27, 2026. Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press.
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CTVNews:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
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