PARIS (AP) — Damian Penaud overtook Serge Blanco as France's all-time leading try scorer in test rugby with his 39th try early into a 32-17 home defeat against world champion South Africa on Saturday.
Penaud latched onto a smart chip kick from fullback Thomas Ramos and ran over in the right corner untouched.
The 29-year-old Penaud took 57 tests to pass Blanco, who retired in 1991 as one of the greatest fullbacks of all time and had 38 tries in 93 tests.
Penaud added a second try in the first half to reach 40, with Ramos setting him up again following a quick line move which swept from left to right.
The sides met for the first time since 2023 when South Africa knocked out the World Cup host 29-28 in an epic quarterfinal. Eleven Springboks from that matchday 23 returned to the Stade de France.
South Africa trailed 14-13 and had a player less for the entire second half following Lood De Jager's red card but still rallied to win.
AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
South Africa's Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, left, is tackled by France's Damian Penaud during the rugby union Nations Series match between France and South Africa in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 . (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
France's Damian Penaud is tackled during the rugby union Nations Series match between France and South Africa in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 . (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
France's Damian Penaud is tackled during the rugby union Nations Series match between France and South Africa in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 . (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
TORONTO (AP) — Max Scherzer came off the injured list and promptly reached another milestone.
Unfortunately for Scherzer, it didn't stop his season-long struggles.
The Toronto pitcher reached 3,500 strikeouts when he caught Philadelphia slugger Kyle Schwarber looking at an 86 mph change up to begin the game Wednesday night.
Scherzer raised his arm as fans rose for a brief standing ovation before Trea Turner's at bat.
A three-time Cy Young Award winner and eight-time All-Star, Scherzer is the 11th pitcher in big league history with 3,500 strikeouts. Walter Johnson (3,509) is 10th on baseball’s career list.
Scherzer’s former teammate Justin Verlander (3,554) is the only other active pitcher to reach the mark.
Scherzer added to his tally by striking out Turner, but Bryce Harper followed with a home run that bounced off the top of the wall in left wall and went out.
Alec Bohm made it 4-0 with a three-run homer in the third. Scherzer has made six starts and allowed nine home runs in 22 innings.
Scherzer struck out four in 3 1/3 innings, pushing his career total to 3,503. He exited after an infield single by Justin Crawford. Schwarber greeted Mason Fluharty with a homer to make it 6-0.
Scherzer walked three and allowed five runs and five hits. His ERA rose from 9.64 to 10.23.
Toronto activated Scherzer off the 15-day injured list (right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation) before the game. He hadn't pitched since allowing seven runs in 2 1/3 innings against Cleveland on April 24.
Right-hander Connor Seabold was designated for assignment.
Scherzer returned to the reigning American League champions in February, signing a $3 million, one-year contract.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws a pitch to strike out Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber to record his 3500th strike out during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Wednesday June 10, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer (31) reacts after striking out Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) to record his 3500th strike out during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Wednesday June 10, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer (31) reacts after striking out Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) to record his 3500th strike out during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Wednesday June 10, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
