Merrifield, Blue Jays top Diamondbacks 5-2 for third consecutive victory

TORONTO — Chris Bassitt had little time to prepare for his short-notice start on Saturday.

The Toronto Blue Jays right-hander found out Friday that he would be starting in place of all-star pitcher Kevin Gausman on Saturday after the latter was scratched due to discomfort in his left side.

Bassitt, however, did not disappoint.

All-Stars Whit Merrifield and Bo Bichette both homered and the Toronto Blue Jays earned a 5-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Bassitt (9-5) had five strikeouts while surrendering seven hits and zero walks in six innings of action in front of a sellout crowd of 42,328 at Rogers Centre.

"Overall, good," Bassitt said of his performance. "(The approach) was just pound…