The Stars have won nine of their 10 matches in this season's competition and sit in a commanding position after Wednesday's straightforward triumph in Perth.
Hosts the Scorchers won the toss and batted first having come into the contest on a three-game winning streak but tumbled to a shambolic 86 all out in only 13.5 overs.
And the Stars encountered few problems in reaching their moderate target, winning with eight overs to spare as the in-form Marcus Stoinis (39 not out) got them home at a canter.
INGLIS GOOD, TEAM-MATES TERRIBLE
Josh Inglis scored 37 runs off 19 balls with two maximums to give Scorchers a swift start but Cameron Bancroft (10) was the only other player to reach double figures.
Perth were moving along nicely at 39-1 after 23 deliveries, Liam Livingstone (4) the only man to have fallen courtesy of a wonderful Stoinis catch off the bowling of Nathan Coulter-Nile.
But Cameron Green (4) was impressively run out by Haris Rauf (1-23) and Inglis' decent knock ended tamely when he picked out Nick Larkin at mid-off.
That reduced the Scorchers to 48-3 and it got worse from there, captain Mitchell Marsh (7) falling after a fine catch from Daniel Worrall off the bowling of Jackson Coleman, who lead the Stars with three wickets for just 16 runs on his first BBL outing this season.
Bancroft fell in another runout and Nepalese spinner Sandeep Lamichhane (2-7) took wickets from consecutive deliveries to help clean up the tail.
STOINIS KEEPS UP MOMENTUM
Stoinis led a comfortable run chase for the Stars, three days on from his stunning record-breaking century against the Sydney Sixers.
Marsh (1-25) held a return catch to remove Hilton Cartwright and Ben Dunk fell to Fawad Ahmed (1-25) but by that point the leaders already had 56 on the board.
Stoinis, who passed 500 runs for the BBL campaign, hit six fours in a controlled 31-ball innings and sealed the victory with a flick behind square to the fence, with Seb Gotch the other unbeaten batsman on 14.
Defeat left the Scorchers fourth, one point clear of the Adelaide Strikers, who have a game in hand, and the Sydney Thunder.
A 46-ball 73 from Inglis and a valuable knock of 40 from Marsh helped the Scorchers to 175-7 at the Bellerive Oval.
The hosts completely wilted in reply, mustering a measly 98 with George Bailey's 36 providing the best resistance.
Richardson took two wickets in his first over to inflict early damage before returning for a couple more late on and the paceman finished with figures of 4-20.
Perth's third straight win sees them climb to third in the standings, while Hobart remain second from bottom.
INGLIS LESSON FOR HURRICANES
The early losses of Liam Livingstone (3) and Sam Whiteman (8) left the Scorchers reeling but Inglis and Marsh piled on the pressure.
Inglis anchored the innings with four fours and as many sixes in an exciting display, while Marsh was looking dangerous before mistiming one off Rogers to Qais Ahmad.
Just seven balls later, Qais tempted Inglis into a slog to long on and a flurry of late wickets stemmed the momentum.
RICHARDSON ROARS
Things started badly for the home side as the excellent Richardson angled one into Matthew Wade (3), who hurried one to deep square leg, before David Miller (0) top-edged the same man to cover.
Bailey and Caleb Jewell (28) put on 41 but from there only Simon Milenko (19) made double figures.
Richardson would return to the attack to account for Thomas Rogers (5) and Nathan Ellis (0) to complete a fine outing.
Led by 85 from Livingstone's fellow Englishman Alex Hales, the Thunder had set the hosts 154 to win on Monday.
But a magnificent opening stand of 136 from Livingstone and Josh Inglis (58) ensured the Scorchers made a strong response to losing back-to-back matches against the Melbourne Stars.
The Scorchers are now one point clear of the Thunder, with both teams in contention to reach the playoffs with two matches each left to play.
HALES ON FIRE BUT LACKING SUPPORT
Hales was out for a duck in his last outing against the Sydney Sixers but after the Thunder won the toss and opted to bat, he delivered in this one.
The former England international hit 10 fours and three sixes in his 59-ball outing, although he was lacking support from his team-mates.
Usman Khawaja (11) and captain Callum Ferguson (4) both fell cheaply, before a 48-run stand between Hales and Arjun Nair (11) was ended by Chris Jordan.
Jordan, who is set to join up with England and be replaced by Morne Morkel for the Scorchers, left on a high with an impressive 3-28, including a slower ball to finally get rid of Hales in the final over.
A steady knock from Alex Ross (22 not out) helped the Thunder to close on 153-5, but it proved to not be enough as they fell to a fifth defeat in seven matches.
INGLIS AND LIVINGSTONE DOMINATE
The Scorchers' victory was inspired by their openers, who hit six maximums between them, three coming off deliveries from Liam Bowe (0-25).
Inglis was hit in the helmet by Gurinder Sandhu (1-33) in the fifth over and, after a lengthy delay, made a brilliant response by smashing the next delivery for six over cow corner.
After racking up 64 runs in the first five overs, Livingstone and Inglis were in complete control and did not look back.
Brendan Doggett had two horrendous drops off Livingstone but he finally held on to one to remove Inglis off the bowling of Sandhu.
Livingstone, who brought up his fifty off 28 balls, was eventually caught by Ross at deep midwicket as he attempted to hit the winning runs, but any doubt over the match outcome had long since been removed.
Captain Mitchell Marsh (two not out) came into do the honours as the Scorchers eased home with 4.3 overs to spare.
Man of the match Sherfane Rutherford came to the rescue to help the Sydney Thunder defeat the Perth Scorchers by six wickets in a last-over thriller at Perth Stadium on Friday.
The Scorchers batted first and posted 177-4 from their 20 overs after Thunder skipper David Warner won the toss and chose to field.
Australia international Marsh blasted an unbeaten 93 off just 41 balls to lead the Scorchers to an impressive 213-3 – their highest total in Big Bash League history.
The Perth skipper plundered 44 of his runs off 13 deliveries from Ben Laughlin, who finished with the joint-most expensive figures in a BBL match of 1-60.
Tom Banton gave the Scorchers hope with an entertaining 55, but Brisbane came up short on 179-8 and the Scorchers moved level with them on eight points.
MARSH ON THE MARCH
Josh Inglis started strongly with 28 off 14 balls and Marsh ensured the Scorchers' tempo did not drop.
The all-rounder racked up three fours and eight maximums – three of which came in succession off the final over from Laughlin.
That took his unbroken partnership with Cameron Bancroft (41 off 29) to 124 and the hosts to a tally that would always prove difficult for the Heat to chase down.
BANTON'S BRILLIANT FAREWELL
Brisbane were in with a chance while Banton was at the crease, though, as the opener another stunning display in his final appearance before being replaced by AB de Villiers.
The 21-year-old, who will join the England squad in South Africa for the three-game ODI series in February, produced a series of stunning shots, the pick of the bunch being a ramp from off stump off Jhye Richardson that landed well beyond the ropes.
Banton brought up his third fifty of the competition off 25 balls with a drive through mid-off, but he was caught and bowled by Fawad Ahmed, who did well to cling on as he trod on the non-striker's stumps.
BRISBANE FALL SHORT
Banton's dismissal at the end of the 10th over did not immediately change the complexion of the match for the Heat, who remained into the hunt thanks to the 41-run partnership between Ben Cutting (20) and Joe Burns (37).
However, the run rate slowed and the Scorchers grasped control with the ball, Richardson, Joel Paris and Chris Jordan finishing with two wickets apiece.
Mitchell Owen hit an unbeaten 101 to lead the Hobart Hurricanes to an eight wicket win over the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League on Saturday.
The Renegades were restricted to 133-5 off their 20 overs after the Scorchers won the toss and elected to field first.
Georgia Wareham led the way with 57* off 46 balls while Tammy Beaumont hit 24 against 2-14 off four overs from Amy Edgar.
Matthews made just eight from 15 balls.
The Scorchers then needed just 11.2 overs to reach 134-0 thanks to 70* off just 36 balls from captain Sophie Devine and 47* from Beth Mooney.
The Renegades remain at the foot of the table with just one win in nine games while the Scorchers are second with 12 points from their nine encounters.
Despite Jhye Richardson (3-22) removing Aaron Finch for a golden duck, Sam Harper (73) and Beau Webster (59 not out) had put Melbourne (175-5) in a strong position to finally deliver a maiden victory at the seventh time of asking.
Yet Perth openers Josh Inglis (51) and Liam Livingstone (59) shared a century stand to leave the Scorchers firmly in charge at the halfway point of their chase.
Cameron Bancroft then hit the winning runs as Perth (178-4) got home with an over to spare.
FINCH FLOUNDERS BEFORE MARSH WINS BATTLE OF THE BROTHERS
There was no captain's innings from Finch, who skied a bouncer from Richardson to Cameron Green from his very first ball to leave Melbourne 1-1.
Richardson took the wicket of Australia Test batsman Marcus Harris (14) in the powerplay and the Renegades were struggling at 48-3 as Mitchell Marsh got one over on his brother, Shaun.
The older Marsh was on just two when he swiped his brother to the leg-side fence, where Livingstone was on hand to ensure Mitchell got the family bragging rights.
RENEGADES REBUILD THROUGH HARPER AND WEBSTER
The failings of the Renegades' top order did not lead to a collapse, though, as half-centurions Harper and Webster gave them a good total.
Harper might have been out before he reached 50, but the ball slipped through the normally reliable Chris Jordan's hands on the ropes for a six that brought up the milestone.
He was eventually dismissed when Ashton Agar hung on to another chance in the deep but Webster's unbeaten half-century, which included four sixes and three boundaries, raised the prospects of a first Renegades victory.
LIVI DAZZLES DESPITE BOX-CLATTERING DELIVERIES
Perth's opening partnership effectively put paid to Melbourne's hopes, though, as Inglis and Livingstone compiled 102 in the first half of the Scorchers' innings.
Livingstone was able to lead the way despite twice copping painful-looking deliveries between his legs – the 26-year-old letting out audible groans on both occasions – and one of his four maximums travelled a whopping 97 metres.
Inglis upped the ante when his fellow opener chipped Richard Gleeson (3-30) straight to Finch, reaching his half century in 31 deliveries, two balls fewer than Livingstone, before falling caught-and-bowled to Kane Richardson.
Two sixes from Tim David (16) brought the total closer and Bancroft (20 not out) sealed the Scorchers' third win of the season.
Hurricanes opener Short made the most of a number of reprieves to register an unbeaten 70-ball 103 that included three fours and seven maximums, taking his tally for the season to 248.
Despite the Australia international's efforts, the Scorchers still looked capable of chasing down the 181 they needed for victory against Hobart (180-2).
A 75-run partnership between Mitchell Marsh (48) and Cameron Green (33) gave them hope, but Perth (172-8) lost momentum when the former holed out to midwicket off Thomas Rogers and they were consigned to a fourth loss of the season.
D'ARCY DOESN'T FALL SHORT
There were plenty of moments when it looked like Short, the leading run scorer in the previous two editions of the BBL, would not get to triple figures.
The opener was dropped on 21 and 68 when Tim David twice showed a lack of judgement in the field, while Jhye Richardson (twice) and Liam Livingstone put down more difficult chances to get him out.
Short needed three runs off the final delivery to bring up his century and he did it by ramping a Chris Jordan yorker onto the ropes for six.
BOLAND MAKES HIS MARK
The Hurricanes took 76 runs from the final five overs of their innings, but their total was by no means unreachable for the Scorchers.
However, Perth were in trouble when they slipped to 18-3 after 2.3 overs. Scott Boland (2-29) drew an edge that had Cameron Bancroft caught behind for a duck and on the next ball his fingertip deflection sent Marsh's drive down the ground onto the non-striker's stumps to run out Josh Inglis.
MARSH GIVES PERTH HOPE
Marsh and Green steadied the ship for the Scorchers after the early inroads made by the Hurricanes, who saw Riley Meredith (side strain) and David Miller (calf) leave the field for treatment and not return.
McDermott missed a great chance to break their partnership when he failed to hold on after Marsh gloved Rogers down the leg side, but Nathan Ellis trapped Green lbw in the next over.
Marsh went on to rack up five fours and a six before a tremendous catch from Caleb Jewell ended his knock and the Scorchers finished on 172-8.
Hilton Cartwright (58 not out off 56 balls) guided the table-topping Stars to 141-6 from their 20 overs at the MCG.
That appeared a below-par total despite a slow pitch, but Perth struggled as Nic Maddinson (3-24) helped the Stars to a 10th win in 11 games.
The Scorchers finished on 131-9 as their chase fell apart in the second half of their innings, the loss a blow to their play-off chances.
CARTWRIGHT IN CONTROL FOR STARS
On a slow wicket, Cartwright ended up playing the key role for the Stars with the bat.
The opener's innings included seven fours, although it looked like his side were at least 20 runs short after electing to bat first.
The Stars were 34-3 in the eighth over when Maddinson fell, but Cartwright's ability to see out the innings after Marcus Stoinis (6) went cheaply proved crucial.
MARSH RUN-OUT COSTLY
Perth appeared in control in their chase, reaching 62-2 off nine overs and needing 80 off the final 11.
However, Mitchell Marsh (11) was run out to begin the 10th over and the Scorchers' middle and lower order failed.
MARVELLOUS MADDINSON
Glenn Maxwell's decision to bowl Maddinson late in the Perth innings looked a risky one, but it paid off spectacularly.
Cameron Bancroft (32) was the key man for the Scorchers, but was removed by Maddinson.
The right-hander produced a powerful drive from a low full toss, only for Maddinson to take an incredible return catch.
Maddinson also had Tim David (11) and Matthew Kelly (5) stumped as the Scorchers capitulated late in their chase.
The Thunder needed to triumph to avoid elimination from top-five contention and held their nerve with the bat after being set 96 from 12 overs for victory following a rain delay at Spotless Stadium.
South African Morris clubbed a six and a four in consecutive deliveries to reward Alex Hales' blistering 47 and get the hosts home with two balls to spare, sealing a seven-wicket victory that takes them above the Scorchers and into fourth.
Miserly bowling from Chris Tremain (1-14) and Daniel Sams (1-16) earlier restricted the Scorchers to 99-4 from 15 overs, their total reduced following the hour-long pause in play.
BANCROFT BUILDS COMPETITIVE TOTAL
The Scorchers gave themselves plenty of work to do after winning the toss, electing to bat and then slipping to 64-4 in the 12th over of their truncated innings.
They were indebted to Cameron Bancroft for achieving a reasonable score before the rain arrived, the Australia international managing a valuable unbeaten 35 from 25 balls amid scant contributions elsewhere in the top six.
Liam Livingstone stuttered to Perth's next-best score with 20 off 27 as Tremain, Sams and Morris (1-9) kept the total down.
HALES HELPS THUNDER THROUGH THE STORM
Following scores of 85 and 63 in the previous two games, England international Hales continued his fine form in a standout performance.
The 31-year-old made light of a difficult wicket as he breezed to 47 from 27 balls before slicing a catch to cover off Fawad Ahmad (1-15).
The ease with which Hales found the boundary - his innings included four fours and two sixes - came in contrast to the other batsman during a low-scoring affair on a difficult wicket.
MORRIS SETTLES THUNDER NERVES
Hales' departure led to the loss of three wickets for 16 runs as the Thunder started to let victory slip from their grasp.
Usman Khawaja (22) was caught out of his crease, Jhye Richardson bowled Alex Ross and the Scorchers suddenly became favourites to escape with the points.
Enter all-rounder Morris. After watching Callum Ferguson take three runs off the first two balls of the decisive 12th over from Matt Kelly, the 32-year-old brought a stunning end to the contest.
He struck a huge six over long-on and then pierced a drive through the off-side to snatch a season-saving win for the Thunder just as it looked to have eluded them.
Phil Salt's second half-century in his last four games helped the Strikers to 181-5 from their 20 overs, with Jake Weatherald and Travis Head making 35 apiece at Optus Stadium.
That target proved to be well beyond the hosts despite a magnificent knock from Liam Livingstone (79), Agar taking 3-36.
Adelaide are second in the table and will not have to contest the eliminator round of the play-offs. The Scorchers are fourth and can secure a place in the playoffs with a win over Sydney Thunder on Sunday.
SALT SHAKES UP SCORCHERS ATTACK
Opener Salt hit seven boundaries and a pair of maximums in his 31-ball 59, putting on 71 for the opening wicket with Weatherald.
Alex Carey and Head kept the scoreboard ticking with a stand of 43 off 28 balls and Jono Wells' contribution ensured the Strikers had plenty to defend.
A dozen of Wells' 23 runs off 16 balls came via him finding the rope, and those boundaries proved valuable as the Scorchers came up short in response.
LIVINGSTONE GIVES SCORCHERS HOPE
The Scorchers' top runs scorer in the BBL this season, Livingstone frequently threatened the rafters as he kept the hosts' hopes alive.
The English opener struck seven sixes in his explosive 54-ball knock and showed the ability to do so in unorthodox fashion, with ramp and hook shots sent sailing for six.
However, when man of the match Wes Agar ended his remarkable innings the prospect of a Scorchers victory went with him as they went from 115-5 to finishing on 165-7.
WES WINS BATTLE OF AGARS
Wes Agar also removed opener Josh Inglis and Scorchers captain Mitchell Marsh as he finished with figures of 3-36, ensuring he got the better of his brother Ashton Agar in the process.
Older sibling Ashton Agar took 2-29, dismissing openers Weatherald and Salt, and was unbeaten on 10 with the bat.
He still ended up on the losing side despite his admirable efforts, but was all smiles as he congratulated his younger brother after the match.
