+34
The 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 as Max Scherzer struck out seven and Brandon Valenzuela and Charles McAdoo homered.
TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays capped a disappointing season on Sunday afternoon with a 5-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at Rogers Centre. Toronto finished last in the American League East Division standings at 79-83.
Scherzer Leads Toronto Season Finale
The weekend interleague series provided a potential farewell for players not under contract next season. Veteran starter Max Scherzer delivered a vintage performance with seven strikeouts over seven-plus innings. Scherzer (4-9), who will decide on future plans in the off-season, tipped his cap to the adoring sellout crowd of 42,131 at the start of the game. He allowed six hits and issued one walk.
Brandon Valenzuela and Charles McAdoo homered for the Blue Jays. Valenzuela hit a two-run shot in the second inning off Reds starter Brandon Williamson (5-5) and Toronto tacked on two more runs in the third. McAdoo added an insurance run with a solo shot in the eighth inning. Expectations were high for the Blue Jays this year after they reached the World Series last fall.
Injuries Derail Blue Jays Playoffs
But injuries and underperformance helped prevent a return appearance in the playoffs. The Blue Jays briefly held the final wild-card spot earlier this month but a recent stretch of seven losses in nine games sealed their fate. 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 he was replaced by pinch-runner Sean Keys in the third inning.
The spectators rose out of their seats again when Scherzer was pulled in the eighth. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had the day off after an eventful week that included an apology for his 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 in his career, not for what he was projected to do.
Reds Struggle and Toronto Looks Ahead
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. It was the 61st sellout of the season at Rogers Centre. 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
YahooCASports
CP24:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Blue Jays Major League Baseball Max Scherzer Toronto Blue Jays George Springer The Canadian Press The Blue Jays Toronto Brandon Valenzuela Rogers Centre Brandon Williamson MLB 2026 Season
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Okamoto's three RBIs lift Blue Jays over Reds 6-5, snapping three-game skidKazuma Okamoto hit two doubles and drove in three runs as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-5 on Friday night at Rogers Centre, snapping a three-game losing streak.
Read more »
Okamoto RBI Double and Guerrero Redemption Lead Blue Jays Past RedsKazuma Okamoto hit an RBI double to tie the game at 5-5, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won over fans with a seventh-inning RBI single after earlier controversy, as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Cincinnati Reds.
Read more »
Blue Jays lose 5-1 to Reds, guaranteed last-place finish in AL EastMax Scherzer will take on the Reds tomorrow in what could be the final appearance of his 19-year career
Read more »
Reds Beat Blue Jays 5-1; Toronto Clinches Last Place in AL EastThe Cincinnati Reds defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 5-1 on Saturday, guaranteeing Toronto will finish last in the AL East. Hector Rodriguez hit a two-run triple and Rhett Lowder pitched six scoreless innings in the win.
Read more »