Max Scherzer pitches six innings to win first start of season as Blue Jays beat Rockies 5-1

TORONTO (AP) — Max Scherzer gave up four hits in six solid innings to win his first start of the season, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reached base four times, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Colorado Rockies 5-1 on Tuesday night.

Scherzer (1-0) allowed one run, walked one and struck out four. The three-time Cy Young Award winner He has 3,493 career strikeouts.

Mason Fluharty got two outs, Brayon Fisher went 1 1/3 innings and Jeff Hoffman pitched the ninth.

Hunter Goodman hit a solo home run off Scherzer in the sixth but the Rockies lost for the fourth time in five games.

Colorado is 2-12 in franchise history in Toronto.

Toronto’s Jesús Sánchez hit an RBI single off Jaden Hill in the fifth and Guerrero followed with a bases-loaded walk.

Guerrero went 2 for 3 with two walks. He drove in a run and scored once.

Rockies right-hander Ryan Feltner exited two batters after he was struck by a 106 mph line drive in the third inning. Colorado said Feltner left because of a right glute contusion.

Feltner retired the first eight batters in order before he was struck by Andrés Giménez's liner near his hip. The ball bounced away for a single.

Manager Warren Schaeffer and the trainer checked on Feltner, who remained in the game. George Springer followed with a walk but Feltner retired Sánchez on the first pitch.

Feltner struck out four in three innings. Juan Mejia (0-1) took over in the fourth.

Kazuma Okamoto, Nathan Lukes and Ernie Clement all had RBI hits off Zach Agnos in the bottom of the seventh.

Blue Jays RHP Kevin Gausman (0-0, 1.50 ERA) is scheduled to start Wednesday's series finale against Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (0-1, 4.15).

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Colorado Rockies outfielder Jake McCarthy (31) can't make the catch on an RBI double by Toronto Blue Jays' Ernie Clement during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Colorado Rockies pitcher Ryan Feltner (18) works against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Colorado Rockies third baseman Kyle Karros (12) throws to first base during third inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) hits a single against the Colorado Rockies during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer (31) works against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

BALTIMORE (AP) — Zach Eflin's first start since July lasted less than four innings.

The Baltimore right-hander was abruptly pulled from Tuesday night's game against the Texas Rangers in the fourth with right elbow discomfort. The Orioles went on to lose 8-5. Manager Craig Albernaz said afterward Eflin would have imaging Wednesday and would likely end up on the injured list.

“I feel for Zach. Everything he went through last year, works his butt off this offseason, back surgery, he looked great in camp,” Albernaz said. “Did everything that he could do and beyond, and something like that — the whole coaching staff, the whole team, we just feel for him.”

Eflin looked sharp for the most part, striking out seven in 3 2/3 innings and allowing only one run on a solo homer by Ezequiel Duran in the third. With two on and two out in the fourth, there was a meeting on the mound when Duran came to the plate again. Eflin threw one more pitch, a ball, and then there was another meeting — this one including Albernaz.

Eflin was lifted and replaced by reliever Grant Wolfram, who got the third out.

“He felt something, and that's why we got Wolfie going," Albernaz said. "And then we saw the next pitch, and I was like, ‘Nah, we’ve got to make a move here.'”

The Orioles re-signed Eflin to a one-year deal for $10 million this past offseason. It includes a $25 million mutual option or a $2 million buyout for 2027, with escalators for both: $1 million if he makes 15 starts this year, $1.5 million for 20 and $2.5 million for 25.

Eflin went 6-5 with a 5.93 ERA during an injury-plagued 2025 for the Orioles, and his season ended early because of back issues.

If Eflin has to miss significant time, Dean Kremer is an option after he was sent down to start the season in the minors.

But it's a blow to the Orioles if they couldn't make it one time through the rotation without losing a starter.

“It's tough. Any time you see any one of your guys feel something barking, you're hoping for the best,” said slugger Pete Alonso, who hit his first homer as an Oriole on Tuesday. “It straight-up stinks. Zach's a good dude and a really, really hard worker. He's a guy that, I hope everything's OK.”

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Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Zach Eflin delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)