Springer, Bassitt help Jays split series with O’s

George Springer's two-run single and starter Chris Bassitt's one-run performance in six innings of work was enough for a Toronto Blue Jays' 3-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday to split the season-opening four-game series.

TORONTO – George Springer’s two-run single and starter Chris Bassitt’s one-run performance in six innings of work was enough for a Toronto Blue Jays’ 3-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday to split the season-opening four-game series.

Backup catcher Tyler Heineman drove his second career homer into the left field seats to lead off the seventh inning for Toronto (2-2). The homer came off reliever Cionel Perez to provide an insurance run.

Bassitt (1-0) scattered eight hits, struck out seven and walked two in his 106-pitch performance before 21,069 fans at Rogers Centre.

Relievers Brendon Little and Yariel Rodriguez carried on for Bassitt each with a shutout inning. Jeff Hoffman pitched a flawless 1-2-3 ninth with two strikeouts for his first save of the season.

Ryan O’Hearn scored on a wild pitch in the first inning for an early Baltimore (2-2) lead.

Tomoyuki Sugano’s (0-1) Major League debut ended after four innings because of cramping. The 35-year-old Orioles righty surrendered two runs on four hits, two walks and a strikeout.

Springer also smashed a one-out double in the eighth inning off the left-field wall.

Takeaways