Scherzer (1-4) took the loss Wednesday against the Phillies, allowing five runs on five hits and three walks in 3.1 innings. He struck out four.
After missing more than six weeks due to right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation, Scherzer didn't have his best stuff in his return Wednesday, although he did record his 3,500th career strikeout when he fanned the first batter he faced, Kyle Schwarber. The 41-year-old right-hander has made it through four innings just once through six starts so far this year, failing to collect more than four punchouts in any outing. Scherzer will take a miserable 10.23 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 14:11 K:BB over 22 innings into his next scheduled appearance in Boston.