Cleveland: Trevor Bauer made Aaron Judge look silly, and made his manager look like a genius.
One year after nearly costing the Indians a trip to the World Series, Bauer helped them take the first step back.
Named a surprise starter for Game 1, Bauer chopped Judge and New York’s other big bats down to size, and Jay Bruce drove in three runs as Cleveland began chasing their first World Series title in 69 years with a 4-0 win over the Yankees in the opener of the AL Division Series.
Bauer struck out Judge three times. He allowed just two hits before manager Terry Francona turned to baseball’s best bullpen, using Andrew Miller and closer Cody Allen to finish the three-hitter.
Allen came in with two on and two outs in the eighth to face Judge, who struck out for the fourth time and the rookie angrily snatched at his bat frustration. Allen then worked the ninth for a save.
Judge’s verdict on Bauer was unanimous in New York’s clubhouse.
“He was mixing his pitches well, he was using the corners extremely well,” he said. “You’ve got to tip your cap sometimes.”
