CLEVELAND (AP) — There were more than a few raised eyebrows when Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona elected to start Trevor Bauer over Cy Young candidate Corey Kluber in Game 1 of their AL Division Series against the New York Yankees.
Francona’s strategy worked on Thursday as Bauer led the Indians to a 4-0 shutout of the Yanks.
Bauer was outstanding over 6 2/3 innings, holding New York to a pair of hits and one walk while striking out eight. He had a no-hitter until Aaron Hicks lined a one-out double in the sixth.
Bauer was lifted right after Starlin Castro singled in the seventh.
Jay Bruce sparked Cleveland’s offense, scoring the first run on a double-play grounder and slamming a two-run homer. He added a sacrifice fly that put the Indians ahead 4-0 in the fifth.
Yankees starter and loser Sonny Gray was pulled after 3 ½ innings, charged with three runs on three hits and four walks.
The series remains in Cleveland for Game 2 on Friday (5:00 p.m./MLB Network).