Seamless transition for Bauer with new backstop

WASHINGTON — The pairing of Trevor Bauer and catcher Chris Gimenez has been one of the feelgood storylines of this season for the Indians. On and off the field, the two have formed a bond, one that has helped the pitcher progress throughout what has the makings of the best season of his career.

One day before Cleveland’s 3-1 victory over the Nationals on Tuesday, Bauer and Gimenez even played catch on the team’s scheduled off-day. They did not head to Nationals Park for the workout, but to a local park in our nation’s capital, where the duo focused on Bauer’s fastball command.

So, when Gimenez was not in the lineup to catch Bauer for Tuesday’s game, it was unexpected.

“I was a little surprised to see that,” Bauer admitted. “But, obviously, it turned out well. It got a really big win for us.”

Working with catcher Roberto Perez for the first time since April 30 — snapping a stretch of 17 consecutive starts paired with Gimenez — Bauer pitched into the seventh inning, allowing no runs on four hits. His fastball command looked improved and the right-hander ended with four strikeouts against a pair of walks. Nine of the outs he recorded came via grounders, including a double play to escape a threat by the Nationals in the fifth.

What the win showed — besides a step back in the right direction for Bauer, who had an 8.37 ERA in his previous five starts — was that Cleveland trusts both of …

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