So, how did this slider play? Bassitt’s average slider on Thursday was 78.9 mph, up from his season average of 75.1 mph. The pitch maxed out at 84.4 mph, but was also thrown as slow as 72.8 mph. Bassitt expected his slider to sit in the 85 mph range, but said that he’ll continue to tinker.\n\nThe early returns were promising. Bassitt, who said he used the same slider grip as he did back in 2014, held the Rangers hitless in eight at-bats against the slider, including a strikeout. Suffice it to say, he got the results he desired.\n\nThe cutter, however, isn’t completely gone. Bassitt threw 11 cutters on Thursday, the big difference being that the pitch was exclusively thrown to left-handed hitters. Bassitt will continue to experiment, but his latest start provided a solid foundation to build upon. \n\n“I liked it a lot,” he said of his slider. “I liked the swings on it.”\n\nBassitt, oddly enough, didn’t cruise along as he has done in past starts. The Rangers put a runner on base in all seven innings that Bassitt was on the mound. He worked out of the stretch more often than not. Still, there was never the feeling that Bassitt wasn’t in control.\n\nWhile the right-hander wasn’t racking up strikeouts or throwing perfect innings, he kept Texas in check by generating soft contact. Of the 20 balls that the Rangers put in play, only two were struck hard (95+ mph exit velocity). With so many balls put in play, Oakland’s defense had plenty of opportunities to make plays.
Matt Olson made the difficult look routine in the bottom of the sixth, fielding a chopper, spinning and firing to second for a forceout. Matt Chapman immediately followed up with a flex of his own, fielding a chopper and firing a bullet to Olson across the diamond.\n\nBut no one had a web gem as critical as, appropriately enough, Elvis Andrus, who made a diving stop to initiate an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play in the seventh. Manager Bob Melvin said Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who grounded into the double play, was going to be Bassitt’s last hitter, so Andrus’ diving stop allowed Bassitt to clear the seven-inning mark.
These lengthy, effective outings are par for the course for Bassitt. Over his last 14 starts, Bassitt has a 2.96 ERA across 88 1/3 innings. Entering play on Thursday evening, Bassitt has thrown 99 2/3 innings, which leads all pitchers in the American League. \n\n“That’s what a number one guy does,” said Melvin. \n\nEven with the success, Bassitt will continue trying to refine and sharpen his repertoire. Considering the season he’s already having, it’s worth watching where Bassitt can go from here.
**Canha exits early** \n