Blue Jays' Scherzer happy with health but not with loss after milestone strikeout

A tough season continued for Toronto Blue Jays veteran starter Max Scherzer, who struggled in his return from the injured list in Wednesday's 7-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies at Rogers Centre.

The right-hander surrendered five runs on five hits, including two home runs, with three walks and four strikeouts in just 3 1/3 innings as his season earned-run average ballooned to 10.23 through six starts.

But Scherzer, who was making his first start since April 24, said he was at least encouraged that he felt good physically on the mound after missing 43 games with right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation.

"Definitely way better than it was in the beginning part of the year here," Scherzer said. "Really could feel like I was getting through the fastball, and felt like the stuff was sharp."

Scherzer's outing began in historic fashion, as the 41-year-old recorded his 3,500th career strikeout in the first inning when he got Phillies leadoff hitter Kyle Schwarber looking at a changeup. After the pitch, the Blue Jays posted a graphic displaying the achievement on the stadium video board, prompting a round of applause from the crowd as Scherzer became the 11th player in MLB history to reach the illustrious strikeout milestone.

One of the greatest to ever do it