Blue Jays' Scherzer strikes out 5 during incredible Game 4 outing

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer turned back the clock against the Seattle Mariners in Game 4 of the ALCS on Thursday.

The 41-year-old allowed three hits and two earned runs across 5 2/3 innings during Toronto's 8-2 win. He also struck out five, with his fourth coming after an epic moment with manager John Schneider on the mound in the fifth inning.

"I've been waiting for that all year, for Max to yell at me on the mound," Schneider said postgame. "I think at that point, there's numbers, there's projections, there's strategy, and there's people. So, I was trusting people. I think in that moment I'm kind of reliving every conversation I've had with him over the course of the year and trusted him to make pitches."

He added: "I've been waiting for that moment since our Zoom call in the offseason before we signed him. I loved it. I thought he was going to kill me. It was great."

The Blue Jays were leading 5-1 when Scherzer exited the game. He was charged with an additional earned run after left-hander Mason Fluharty allowed an inherited runner to score.

Scherzer is the fourth pitcher to win an ALCS start at the age of 41 or older, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

He also ranks fifth all-time in postseason strikeouts following his Game 4 performance.

Thursday's outing was the 500th start of Scherzer's career (regular season and playoffs combined). It was his first time on the mound for Toronto since Sept. 24 after he was left off the Blue Jays' division series roster.