Alouettes improve to 2-0 with blowout victory over winless Tiger-Cats
Cody Fajardo rushed for a score and connected with receiver Austin Mack for two more touchdowns to help the Montreal Alouettes to a 38-12 victory against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday.
Multi-tool right-hander Chris Bassitt says he is done calling his own pitches with PitchCom after his latest outing against the basement-dwelling Oakland A’s ended poorly.
The Toronto Blue Jays starter allowed four earned runs on five hits and two walks over five innings of what ended up being a 5-4 loss to the A’s.
“Obviously I’m struggling a little bit right now and just less is more,” Bassitt explained. “I’m not sure if I’m tipping, the way I sequence pitches, I’m not sure what’s going on right now. It’s just a matter of less is more. I think it really went well. I feel at times I’m thinking too much on the mound rather than competing. It’s a funky dynamic.”
Bassitt had been calling his own pitches for most of this season, a new rule allowed in MLB after PitchCom was introduced in 2022. The strategy allowed Bassitt to help his new catchers grow accustomed to the eight different pitches in his arsenal. But while there have been some highs in Bassitt’s first season with the Blue Jays — including a complete-game shutout against the Atlanta Braves in May — his 4.16 ERA and 1.195 WHIP (entering play Friday) have not been at the level expected of the veteran.
On Friday, MLB’s worst offence jumped on Bassitt for three runs in the first inning, including a two-run home run from rookie outfielder JJ Bleday.
While Friday’s game ended in a no-decision for Bassitt, the Blue Jays have still lost each of his last three starts.
Bassitt’s next start is scheduled for Wednesday at home against the San Francisco Giants.
