Tough Yankees’ loss to start
Indians score twice in top of first for 2-1 win over N.Y. in opening game of doubleheader
Trevor Bauer looked far from a pitcher on a roll.
He hit his first batter and started seven of his opening 14 with balls.
Yet, he won his career-best seventh straight decision, helping the Cleveland Indians beat the New York Yankees 2-1 Wednesday in a doubleheader opener.
“It wasn’t his best stuff, but he fought like crazy,” Indians manager Terry Francona said.
Jose Ramirez tied his big league high with four hits and the Indians took advantage of Gary Sanchez’s passed ball in a two-run first inning. Defending AL champion Cleveland has won six straight games and 15 of 19, opening a seven-game lead over second-place Minnesota in the AL Central and moving a season-high 19 games over .500 at 75-56.
Bauer (14-8) allowed one run, four hits and four walks over six innings on an afternoon of brilliant sunshine. He is 7-0 in nine starts since a July 16 loss at Oakland.
“It was a struggle,” he said. “Day games are always kind of weird.”
Cody Allen struck out three of four batters for his 22nd save in 25 chances, combining with Tyler Olson and Bryan Shaw for one-hit relief. Slumping Aaron Judge, held out of the starting lineup for a second consecutive game, pinch hit with two outs in the ninth and struck out.
Jaime Garcia (1-2) gave up two runs, six hits and three walks in fiveplus innings.
Rookie Jordan Montgomery (76) was to start the second game for the Yankees and Ryan Merritt (1-0) for the Indians. New York dropped 4 1/2 games behind first-place Boston in the AL East.
Sanchez’s 13th passed ball, secondmost in the major leagues, caused an unearned run. Francisco Lindor singled leading off, stole second, went to third on Ramirez’s single and
came home on the passed ball, which also allowed Ramirez to advance.
“That’s kind of where I wanted to throw it, but my stuff sometimes moves,” Garcia said.
Yandy Diaz followed with another run-scoring single.
Didi Gregorius had an RBI double in the third for the Yankees, who went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring
position. The game was a makeup of Monday night’s rainout.
Whiffing
Yankees RHP Chad Green struck out seven in 2 2/3 innings , the most strikeouts in a game in big league history by a pitcher who faced eight or fewer batters.
“I absolutely didn’t know that when I was pitching today, but I guess it’s pretty cool,” he said.
Green has struck out 86 of 209 batters this season.