RHP Chris Bassitt yields one run on four hits in eight strong innings

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One of the most newsworthy days of the Blue Jays season began with the surprising move to DFA Cavan Biggio. Then came the not totally unexpected bombshell that one-time staff ace Alek Manoah will soon undergo season-ending elbow surgery.

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Lost in the shuffle was a late-night 2-1 loss to the A’s at the Oakland Coliseum when reliever Chad Green’s only pitch of the night was tattooed to deep right field by J.J. Bleday leading off the bottom of the ninth, giving the home side a stunning walk-off victory.

It took until the sixth inning for either team to get a runner as far as third base, a feat managed by the A’s who had runners at the corners with before Jays starter Chris Bassitt’s one-out wild pitch produced the game’s first run.

Bassitt, otherwise, was highly efficient. The veteran right-hander, who pitched six seasons for the A’s, went eight strong innings, allowing only the one run on four hits and a pair of walks while striking out seven. He struck out the final batter he faced on the night, veteran Miguel Andujar, on a tantalizing 72-mph curve ball.

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The Jays, who mustered five hits on the night, got that run back in the top of the seventh. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led off by slicing a ground-rule double down the right-field line. Bo Bichette then took an 0-2 pitch and hit a soft liner into right to score Vladdy. A passed ball advanced Bichette to second, but he would be left stranded.

When the Jays took their swings in the top half of the ninth inning, they were facing fireballer Mason Miller — the hardest thrower in the majors this year. His first batter was Guerrero, who struck out when he chased a slider. Up stepped Bichette, who also struck out on a second consecutive slider that was low and outside. George Springer then grounded out, setting the stage for Green’s hanging slider.

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BYE, BYE BIGGIO

When the decision was made to DFA Biggio, who has been with the organization since 2016, GM Ross Atkins and manager John Schneider broke the news in person with the no-maintenance Biggio following Thursday’s 6-5 win over the visiting Baltimore Orioles.

According to Schneider, who addressed the media in Oakland during his regularly scheduled pre-game gathering Friday night, it was “a tough conversation’’ when reflecting on the meeting with Biggio.

With his playing time dwindling, it appeared the move to DFA Biggio seemed inevitable. Because he has in excess of five years in the majors, Biggio had the right to refuse his demotion to the minors. Without saying as much, it’s logical to reach the conclusion that he did, in fact, refuse to be sent down, which led the Jays into exercising the next option — the DFA route.

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There’s always the possibility of the Jays engineering a trade. But if no suitor emerges, Biggio will go on waivers. If no team claims Biggio, he’ll be released and officially become a free agent.

But whatever happens in the ensuing weeks, safe to say Biggio will land with another big-league club.

THREE AMIGOS II

Biggio, Bichette and Vladdy all came up through the Blue Jays minor system together.

Spencer Horwitz, Ernie Clement and Davis Schneider share a similar relationship. The threesome were teammates last year in Buffalo and, by September, were all up with the Blue Jays. During this year’s spring training, the trio was once again reunited. Following Horwitz’s call-up, the reunion adds a new chapter.

As a positional player, the Jays envision Horwitz in a 60-40 split between second base and first.

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“I love what he’s been doing in triple-A and I think he can really help us,” John Schneider told the assembled media in Oakland.

Horowitz, who was batting .335 with Buffalo, wasn’t in the starting lineup Friday, but he likely will be featured Saturday.

AROUND THE BASES

For the 29th straight game, the Jays went scoreless in the first inning to break a tie with the 1972 Kansas City Royals. Toronto now has the dubious distinction of boasting the second-longest streak. The MLB record for first-inning futility is 31, meaning the Jays can tie the mark in Sunday’s series finale in what will likely be Toronto’s final appearance at the Coliseum … The A’s have already announced their decision to play at the home of the Sacramento River Cats from 2025-27 with an option for 2028 in the ongoing process of relocating to Las Vegas … When it comes to the Jays and the Coliseum, an iconic moment that will forever resonate was the Roberto Alomar two-run homer off closer Dennis Eckersley in Game 4 of the 1992 ALCS.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com

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