(Photo by: Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO -- Trevor Bauer pitched 7 and 2/3 innings of shutout baseball allowing only three hits and striking out nine, but did not factor in the decision as the Indians lose to the Blue Jays in 10 innings, 2-1. The loss puts the Indians at 58-42 on the season (13-4 in July)
Bauer got into some early trouble in the second inning after surrendering two walks, but was able to get a double play and then a strike out to strand a runner on third to get out of the early jam,
The scoring started in the 3rd inning for the Tribe, after Greg Allen stole second after getting on base with a single, was driven in by Francisco Lindor who hit a scorcher at the 2nd baseman that skipped off his glove into right field allowing Allen to score making it 1-0 Indians.
After a leadoff double by Vladimir Guerrero Jr in the 5th, Toronto's first hit of the game, Bauer got the next three batters including striking out two straight batters to end the threat in the 5th inning.
The Blue Jays threatened again in the 8th after a Hernandez single, and then he advanced to second after a wild pitch, then Lourdes Gurriel Jr. came into pinch hit. He was able to get a bloop single in front of Greg Allen in right field, but the Indians defense made two good throws to get Hernandez at home to keep the Indians in the lead.
Brad Hand came on in the ninth to try and lock down his 28th save of the season, but after getting the first out Hand blew only his second save of the season as he gave up a solo home run to Justin Smoak and the Blue Jays tied the game at 1. After getting the second out of the inning, Hand gave up a long single to Guerrero, and after that Adam Cimber came in to get the final out of the inning to send the game to extra innings.
Tyler Olsen came on in the bottom of the tenth in relief of Adam Cimber, after he got the first two outs of the inning, and Olsen did not get the final out as he allowed all the batters he faced to reach base. With runners on first and third, Justin Smoak came up and got the walk-off single to give the Blue Jays the 2-1 victory.
Even though the Indians could not get Bauer the win in this outing he has been flat out dominant in his two starts against the Blue Jays this season, pitching 14 and 2/3 innings, giving up zero runs, 3 hits and striking out 17 Toronto hitters.
The rubber match of the series is set for 7:07 on Wednesday as Shane Bieber (9-3, 3.69 ERA) takes the mound for the Indians and the Blue Jays send Marcus Stroman (6-10, 3.06 ERA) to the hill.
Our pre game coverage starts at 6 when Tribe Insider with Carmen Angelo hits the airwaves, followed by Indians Warm-Up with Jim Rosenhaus at 6:35