TORONTO -- The last time Chris Bassitt pitched in Toronto, he had the raucous hometown crowd behind him as he came on in relief in the sixth inning of Game 7 of the World Series against the Dodgers in November.
The now Orioles starter returned to the Rogers Centre mound for the first time since that heartbreaking defeat on Friday night to open a three-game series against the Blue Jays in an outing that took on a very different feel in the midst of a heated American League Wild Card race.
Orioles leadoff hitter Dylan Beavers began the night by sending the second pitch of the game from Blue Jays starter Max Scherzer over the right-field wall for an early 1-0 lead, and Bassitt allowed two runs over five-plus innings en route to a convincing 7-4 win.
Beavers’ blast was a sign of things to come, as the Orioles’ offense erupted for five runs in the second thanks to six straight hits to open the inning.
The offensive onslaught marked the fourth game in a row the O’s have scored at least five runs, an encouraging late-season trend as they try to track down the final AL Wild Card spot.
For Bassitt, it was the second time this season he worked into the sixth inning against his former team. Back on May 28 in Baltimore, he gave up one run over six innings in a 2-1 loss.
The veteran worked out of trouble multiple times, including a bases-loaded, two-out jam in the bottom of the third to keep the Orioles staked to a comfortable lead they would never surrender. By the end of his night, he had given up six hits, walked three and struck out five.
The win improves the Orioles' record to 72-76 with 14 games left to play in the regular season.