Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer made MLB history in Thursday’s 4-1 win over the visiting Toronto Blue Jays.
Trevor Bauer made MLB history in Thursday’s victory over Toronto. No, it was not the Indians first no-hitter since Len Barker’s perfect game in 1981. Trevor Bauer is the first pitcher ever to pitch five or more innings in the first two starts of a season and only allow one hit. Bauer pitched seven innings Thursday and did not allow a hit and struck out eight. Although Bauer did walk six batters and hit another.
Bauer did not want to be taken out of the game, but after a discussion with manager Terry Francona they determined it was the right thing to do. Considering this is only his second start of the year it is hard to justify keeping Bauer in the game with 117 pitches after seven innings. There is no point in overworking someone and risking injury in early April.
Cleveland had a combined no-hitter until the ninth inning when Brad Hand allowed the first Blue Jays hit of the game. Hand allowed Toronto’s only run of the game as well, a RBI double off the bat of Teoscar Hernandez.
The Indians got some help offensively Thursday, scoring four runs on seven hits. Leonys Martin and Tyler Naquin both finished with two hits. This is an encouraging sign after both have struggled mightily to start the season.
Greg Allen grounded into a fielder’s choice in the fourth inning allowing the first run of the game to score. Roberto Perez would follow with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0. Jose Ramirez got his first RBI of the year with a sacrifice fly of his own in the seventh inning. The fourth run of the game came across to score after Brad Miller drew a bases loaded walk.
