- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
Bauer: Respect for Tigers; no intent to hit
- Updated: September 19, 2016
CLEVELAND — Trevor Bauer took his seat inside the interview room across the hall from the clubhouse at Progressive Field, wearing a morose expression. The Indians pitcher wanted to get something out of the way before answering any questions from reporters.
“First off, I want to extend my apologies to Ian, Victor and Miguel,” Bauer said after Cleveland’s 9-5 loss to the Tigers on Sunday afternoon.
That would be Ian Kinsler, Victor Martinez and Miguel Cabrera, who were each hit by a pitch from Bauer in the Tribe’s loss to Detroit. In his first outing as the de facto No. 2 starter — a situation forced upon Bauer by circumstance — the right-hander’s control abandoned him in spurts, led to six runs allowed and cost Cleveland a chance to continue to build upon its division lead.
The American League Central-leading Indians still hold a seven-game lead over the Tigers, and the Tribe’s magic number remains at seven to clinch a division title. That is the good news. There has certainly been plenty of bad news of late, with starters Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco being shelved for the rest of the season with injuries.
It goes without saying that the Indians need more from Bauer than what took place Sunday.
“Confidence is never going to be a factor,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “He can get out good hitters. Today was kind of a weird day and it seemed like it got in the way of the game for a couple innings there. You don’t want to see that happen.”
Bauer sidestepped harm in the first two innings, but his control went missing in the third.
After already hitting Cabrera with a pitch in the first, Bauer opened the third inning with an errant offering that sailed high and inside on Kinsler, striking Detroit’s second …
