Blue Jays Make Historic Announcement After Loss to Mariners

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated Apr 20, 2025 4:53 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays dropped their second straight game on Sunday, falling 8-3 to the Seattle Mariners. After taking the series opener against Seattle, the Blue Jays surrendered exactly eight runs in each of the last two games, losing the series and falling to 12-10 on the season.

Now two games back of the first place New York Yankees in the American League East, Toronto is entering a three-game series against the Houston Astros. While there were not many positives from Sunday's loss to Seattle, the Blue Jays were saved by the relief appearance of Paxton Schultz in his MLB debut.

Pitching 4.1 innings of relief, Schultz struck out eight batters while surrendering just two hits and no runs. It was a fantastic debut for the 27-year-old right-hander, and it made MLB history.

"What a debut," the Blue Jays wrote after the game. "8 strikeouts by Paxton Schultz TIES the @MLB record for the MOST in a debut by a reliever!"

What a debut

8 strikeouts by Paxton Schultz TIES the @MLB record for the MOST in a debut by a reliever! #lightsupletsgo pic.twitter.com/NvjMMuZCDN
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 20, 2025

Schultz was called-up from Triple-A Buffalo ahead of this game, and made his presence felt immediately. A 14th round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2019, Schultz has spent six seasons in the Minor Leagues where he owns a 4.48 ERA in 130 appearances.

In four outings for Buffalo this season, Schultz has given up just two earned runs in 8.2 innings pitched. This earned him a call-up on Sunday, and his stellar performance in long relief may have bought him some more time at the big league level.

Speaking with reporters after the game, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said of Schultz (via Keegan Matheson of MLB.com), "Wow. For a guy who came up here in a car this morning and signed his contract, that was amazing."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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