Blue Jays beat Reds as Scherzer leaves to ovation

The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Cincinnati Reds 5-1 in their season finale Sunday as Max Scherzer struck out seven over seven-plus innings and earned his 225th career win. Scherzer left the game to a standing ovation in what could have been his final major league appearance, but he has not decided whether he will pitch again. Scherzer allowed one run on six hits and walked one batter. He pitched into the eighth inning before Reds shortstop Oswaldo Cabrera walked to lead off the frame. Blue Jays manager John Schneider came to the mound, and Scherzer eventually departed to applause from the crowd. The pitcher and manager embraced as Scherzer left. The reception began even before the game. A sellout crowd of 42,131 at Rogers Centre stood and applauded when Scherzer took the mound alone before the first pitch. He stepped off and waved to the fans. Scherzer said Saturday that he would wait until the offseason to decide whether to continue pitching. The 42-year-old completed his 20th major league season with Sunday’s start. The crowd’s reaction and the emotional exit did not amount to an announcement about his future.