The Cleveland Indians discovered a brilliant way to divert attention from their pronounced offensive woes.
After flirting with the team’s first no-hitter since 1981, the Indians look to record consecutive wins for the first time this season on Friday when they continue their four-game series against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays.
Trevor Bauer tossed seven no-hit innings in Thursday’s 4-1 series-opening victory, with the Blue Jays spoiling history with a brief ninth-inning rally.
While the win was emotional for the Indians, it didn’t do much to alter the team’s early-season woes at the plate. Cleveland’s offense came as a result of a fielder’s choice, two sacrifice flies and a bases-loaded walk, bringing its season total to 17 runs in six games as it deals with the injury absences of Francisco Lindor and Jason Kipnis.
“Besides (Jose Ramirez) and (Carlos) Santana, you have a lot of guys maybe in their first time in a starting role,” said Kipnis, who will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus on Friday.
“I want to give them all big hugs through the TV and try to calm them down and relax. Because there’s some good players here, whether they’re nervous or what.”
The 35-year-old Ramirez, who has Cleveland’s lone two homers this season, is expected to be back in the lineup on Friday after sitting out the series opener.
“I just thought I’d rather be one day too early than one too late,” Indians manager Terry Francona of the decision to sit Ramirez. “He showed up in spring training late and he’s been in every inning of every game.”
Right-hander Shane Bieber (0-0, 4.50 ERA) will make his first start of the season after allowing one run on two hits while striking out two in a relief appearance against Minnesota on Sunday.
The 23-year-old Bieber recorded a win over the Blue Jays in his lone appearance versus the club in 2018, surrendering four runs (three earned) on seven hits with six strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings of a 9-4 victory on Sept. 6. He finished the year with an 11-5 mark and a 4.55 ERA.
Rowdy Tellez went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles against Bieber in that contest. The 24-year-old Tellez saw his four-game hitting streak come to a halt on Thursday, however.
Freddy Galvis ended the no-hit bid with a sharp single off Brad Hand to lead off the ninth inning. He reached base four times on Thursday and is 7-for-19 since the season opener.
The Blue Jays’ bats however have been slow to wake up this season, as Thursday’s game marked the fourth time that the club has entered the sixth inning without any hits.
“I think we’re pressing right now,” Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo said. “Just because everybody’s struggling at the same time.
“Every at-bat seems like it means so much to everybody that we’re trying to do too much. So we’ve got to find a way to relax and it starts by getting hits.”
While Toronto’s offense has sputtered out of the blocks, the same can’t be said for its pitching. The Blue Jays’ starters have allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven of eight starts this season.
Toronto right-hander Trent Thornton (0-0, 0.00) is coming off a stellar major-league debut on Sunday, as he scattered two hits and struck out eight over five scoreless innings against Detroit.
The 25-year-old, who exited after 75 pitches, utilizes a fluky leg kick that is similar to that of former pitcher Dontrelle Willis.