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A18 SPORTS
Saturday 7 OctOber 2017

Bauer power: Indians baffle Yanks 4-0 in ALDS opener

By TOM WITHERS He struck out eight and After Edwin Encarnacion
AP Sports Writer took a no-hitter into the walked, Gray came in-
CLEVELAND (AP) — Trevor sixth before Aaron Hicks side with a 0-1 fastball and
Bauer made Aaron Judge doubled with one out. It Bruce got around on it. As
look silly, and made his was the longest no-hit bid his shot cut through the fall
manager look like a genius. by a Cleveland pitcher in night, Judge appeared as
One year after nearly cost- the postseason, bettering if he might be able to make
ing the Indians a trip to the Hall of Famers Bob Feller a play near the wall, but
World Series, Bauer helped (1948) and Early Wynn the 6-foot-7 slugger could
them take the first step (1954), who both went four only watch as Bruce’s shot
back. innings. sailed into the seats.
Named a surprise starter for Bauer improved to 3-0 this Bruce nearly caught En-
Game 1, Bauer chopped season against the Yan- carnacion on the bases,
Judge and New York’s kees. and as he finished a home-
other big bats down to “His curveball was really run trot that was more of a
size, and Jay Bruce drove good,” Yankees manager sprint, Cleveland’s fans hol-
in three runs as Cleveland Joe Girardi said. “It’s as lered “Bruuuuuuuce” like
began chasing its first good as we’ve seen it, and a crowd at a Springsteen
World Series title in 69 years he’s been pitching bet- concert.
with a 4-0 win over the ter. You look at his second The Indians are 43-9 since
Yankees on the Thursday half, and he had better Bruce arrived in an Aug. 9
night in the opener of the command. We didn’t get trade from the New York
AL Division Series. many free base runners, Mets.
Bauer struck out Judge which we have in the past “I’m very, very fortunate
three times , twice getting off of him, and he was re- to be here,” Bruce said. “I
the MVP candidate look- ally good.” couldn’t have fallen into a
ing. He allowed just two Taking the mound to his better situation. Obviously,
hits in 6 2-3 innings before usual thundering warm- when you get traded and
manager Terry Francona, up music, “The Pursuit of you’re in trade rumors, it’s
who chose to start the Vikings,” an intimidating usually a contender or a
right-hander over ace Co- song by Swedish metal team that’s contending at
rey Kluber, turned to base- band Amon Amarth, Bauer the moment. For whatever
ball’s best bullpen, using Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer delivers in the didn’t mess around. reason, I ended up here.
Andrew Miller and closer first inning of Game 1 of a baseball American League Division He struck out Judge in the And this has been a blast
Cody Allen to finish the Series against the New York Yankees, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017, in first watching a curveball. so far.”
three-hitter. Cleveland. Bauer, who is 11-1 in his last Because of his personality
Allen came in with two on Associated Press 14 starts, struck out Judge and unorthodox training
and two outs in the eighth on Friday against CC Sa- for the Indians. again in the fourth, but the techniques, it took Bauer
to face Judge, who struck bathia. “The mindset was to go out All-Star reached on a wild time to feel comfortable
out for the fourth time and Bruce connected for a there like a closer in the first pitch. Bauer, though, re- with his Cleveland team-
the rookie angrily snatched two-run homer in the fourth inning and put up a score- grouped by getting Gary mates. But they’ve grown
at his bat frustration. Allen off Sonny Gray and added less inning at all costs,” Bau- Sanchez to bounce into to appreciate his quirky
then worked the ninth for a a sacrifice fly in the fifth er said. “And then if I was a double play before he ways and the fact that
save. as the Indians began a still in the game, do it again freezing Didi Gregorius for he’s a gamer.
Judge’s verdict on Bauer journey to try and end the in the second inning and his sixth strikeout. Bauer said Wednesday
was unanimous in New majors’ longest Series title the third and on until I was Bauer got help from All- that he was “miserable”
York’s clubhouse. drought. taken out of the game. So Star-second baseman- and depressed earlier this
“He was mixing his pitch- Eyebrows were raised when no-hitter, 10-hitter, or what- turned-center fielder Jason season, when he was strug-
es well, he was using the Francona picked Bauer ever, that was the mindset. Kipnis, who made a diving gling and unable to help.
corners extremely well,” instead of Kluber, and the I never really strayed from catch to rob Chase Head- “It was like I was on the
he said. “You’ve got to eccentric right-hander, that.” ley in the third. As Kipnis team but didn’t feel like
tip your cap sometimes. perhaps best known for Coming off their win over slowly got to his feet, Bauer I was contributing, which
We’ve just got to pick our- slicing a pinkie open while Minnesota in the wild-card raised both arms above is a terrible feeling for any
selves up and get ready for repairing a drone dur- game Tuesday, when his head, pumped his fist competitor,” he said. “You
tomorrow.” ing last year’s postseason Judge homered in his play- and screamed to salute his want to be one of the main
New York’s now got to and bleeding all over the off debut, the Yankees teammate. guys out there with your
face Kluber, an 18-game mound in Toronto, deliv- came in with momentum. Bruce gave the Indians a teammates and contribut-
winner during the regular ered a performance that Bauer stopped the Bronx 3-0 lead in the fourth with ing.”
season. He’ll start Game 2 started October just right Bombers cold. a towering homer to right. He’s doing his part now.q