WASHINGTON -- Kevin Pillar said he never previously hit two homers in a game at any level.

The Toronto Blue Jays center fielder accomplished the feat Tuesday night against Max Scherzer, the Washington Nationals right-hander who entered the game with a 1.51 ERA and five wins in a row.

Pillar had three hits and a career-high four RBIs as the Blue Jays beat the Nationals 7-3 to split a day-night doubleheader.

Washington won the first game 2-0 as starter Jordan Zimmermann pitched eight scoreless innings. It was the first time that the Blue Jays were blanked this season.

"I was just going to go as long as I could," Zimmermann said.

Hot-hitting Toronto didn't stay dormant for long, as Pillar led a 10-hit attack in the nightcap.

"They are a powerful team," Washington manager Matt Williams said.

Even so, Pillar would be one of the least likely players to go deep against Scherzer. The third-year big-leaguer entered the game with two homers and an average of .223 this year.

"It was definitely really special for me," Pillar said. "A day I will never forget."

Washington first baseman Tyler Moore, who drove in two runs, said it was a surprise to see anyone hit two homers off Scherzer.

"You have to tip your hat to (Pillar)," Moore said.

The Blue Jays took the lead for good at 4-3 in the sixth when Pillar hit a three-run homer off Scherzer (6-4).

"There was no thought of looking for any pitches. He hung a slider," Pillar said. "It was a big time for it. It felt good to contribute."

Pillar also had a solo homer in the second off Scherzer. It was the first two-homer contest in the 142-game big league career of Pillar, who made his major league debut with the Blue Jays in 2013.

"That is a huge night," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "That is pretty impressive. You could see it coming. It couldn't happen to a better guy. He has been working his butt off."

Toronto added three runs in the seventh off reliever Blake Treinen to make it 7-3.

Blue Jays starter Marco Estrada (2-3) allowed six hits and three runs (two earned) in six innings. He picked up his first win as a starter in six tries with Toronto.

"I owe him big time," Estrada said of Pillar.

Reliever Liam Hendriks took over in the seventh and pitched two scoreless innings. University of Maryland product Brett Cecil pitched a shutout ninth for Toronto.

Scherzer, who gave up two homers for the first time this year, allowed four runs in six innings before he was lifted for a pinch hitter.

Right fielder Bryce Harper had two hits for Washington. Toronto third baseman Josh Donaldson added two hits and reached base three times.

The Blue Jays (24-30) won on the road for just the second time in 10 tries, while Washington (29-23) lost at home for just the second time in 11 contests. The Nationals lost for the fourth time in five games overall.

The Blue Jays took a 1-0 lead in the second on Pillar's first homer of the game.

The Nationals grabbed the lead with two runs in the fourth. Harper led off with a double to right -- missing his 19th homer by inches -- and then scored on a double by Moore. Catcher Jose Lobaton hit a two-out single to drive in Moore and make it 2-1.

Washington made it 3-1 in the fifth as Moore had a sacrifice fly to plate Scherzer. The pitcher led off the inning with a single, advanced to second on a walk and took third when Harper reached on an error by Estrada to load the bases.

"I was mad at myself," Estrada said of his error, which occurred when he dropped a toss from first baseman Chris Colabello.

In the end, Estrada emerged a winner, and Gibbons was glad to get a split.

"We needed a win," Gibbons said. "We had to stay on top of it.

"We think (Pillar) will be one of the good major league player