The veteran hurler didn't have his finest outing in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Texas Rangers.
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Chris Bassitt has been reliable since he broke into the big leagues with the Chicago White Sox in 2014, as he's had nine seasons with a sub-4.00 ERA. However, the right-hander allowed four runs on six hits over 4.1 innings in his Orioles debut on Monday, which earned him the loss.
Bassitt struggled immediately, as he gave up two singles to start the top of the first inning before Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager moved the runners to second and third on a groundout. First baseman Jake Burger then hit a grounder to Bassitt, who misfired his throw to home plate trying to get right fielder Brandon Nimmo tagged out.
Bassitt made it out of that frame without allowing any more runs, but he gave up a double, a walk, and an RBI single to start the second inning. Left fielder Wyatt Langford then lined out to center before Seager walked, Burger hit an RBI single, and designated hitter Joc Pederson hit a sacrifice fly.
Bassitt didn't allow any more runs after that, but gave up a leadoff walk to blank Smith in the fifth before striking out third baseman Josh Jung to end his outing. The 37-year-old finished with 100 pitches (61 strikes).
Baltimore's bullpen only allowed one run the rest of the way, but the offense couldn't muster a comeback in the 5-2 loss.
Chris Bassitt's Track Record Outweighs One Game
Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt. © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn ImagesBassitt might be past his prime, but he proved that he can still be effective last year. The 6-foot-5, 217-pounder went 11-9 with a 3.96 ERA over 32 games (31 starts) for the Toronto Blue Jays in the regular season before giving up just one run across 8.2 postseason innings.
The Orioles signed Bassitt to a one-year, $18.5 million contract in February and made him the fourth starter in the rotation. While his outing on Monday wasn't ideal, there's no reason to lose faith in him as a short-term piece after just one game.
Up next for Baltimore are two rematches with Texas at home before hitting the road to face the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox. The Orioles are 2-2 after Monday's loss.
Right-handed pitcher Zach Eflin is scheduled to start against Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom on Tuesday. The game will start at 6:35 p.m. ET on ESPN Unlimited.
Eflin will make his season debut after going 6-5 with a 5.93 ERA over 14 starts last year.