Blue Jays' Bassitt Allows Run On Bizarre Balk

A run scored Monday when Bassitt charged off the mound to attempt a tag at third base.

TORONTO — Well, we haven't seen this one before.

Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt is a quirky pitcher. He will call his own pitches using PitchCom and even intentionally accept a time clock violation if things don't feel right. 

However, the right-hander took it to a new level in the second inning of Monday's game versus the Rangers. 

With runners on second and third, Bassitt seemed preoccupied with Rangers baserunner Mitch Garver. As the Blue Jays starter gradually worked to a full count, he intermittently stepped off to look back Garver at third base. 

Eventually, Bassitt had enough of Garver's antics. He stepped off the rubber and sprinted toward the baserunner, choosing to run because Jays third baseman Cavan Biggio wasn't holding the bag. Bassitt only made it a few strides before Garver easily dove back.

Since the sprint play was technically Bassitt's third disengagement from the mound, the play was called a balk, the runners advanced, and Texas took an early 1-0 lead.

The balk play came after Bassitt was visibly frustrated with his PitchCom device and chucked it toward the dugout between batters.