CLEVELAND _ One of the biggest storylines of this American League Division Series became the Indians' unorthodox decision to not start Corey Kluber in Game 1, a move that sparked debate and concern both nationally and locally.
Trevor Bauer would have none of it.
Bauer, looking every bit like the pitcher many thought should start in his place, delivered one of the best postseason outings in Indians franchise history en route to a 4-0 win against the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the ALDS Thursday night at Progressive Field.
The Indians now hold a 1-0 lead in the series and will have Kluber on the mound for Game 2 Friday night against CC Sabathia.
Bauer was dominant, shutting down the Yankees' high-powered offense over 62/3 shutout innings. He allowed only two hits, one walk and struck out eight. He also carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning. After five hitless innings, Aaron Hicks doubled off the wall in left field with one out to end the bid. Bauer received an ovation from the crowd both then and when he walked off the mound for good in the seventh.
Still, it was the longest lasting no-hit bid in Indians postseason history. Bob Feller in Game 1 of the 1948 World Series and Early Wynn in Game 2 of the 1954 World Series each had no-hitters broken up after four innings.
Bauer also struck out Aaron Judge, likely to be the AL's Rookie of the Year and possibly the MVP, three times total and twice looking.
Judge had a shot to make it game in the eighth, but the result was the same. Andrew Miller threw an inning but then walked two in the eighth to bring up Judge with two outs. The Indians turned to Cody Allen, who struck out Judge, giving him four strikeouts for the night.
Allen also pitched a scoreless ninth inning to nail down Game 1.
Earlier this season, as Jay Bruce was about to be traded to the Indians from the New York Mets, it was reported that the Yankees were also interested in acquiring him. In the end, the Indians were willing to pay all of Bruce's remaining salary. The Yankees were not. Already, that has proved to be a costly mistake.
Bruce powered the Indians' offense Thursday night, going 2 for 3 with a home run, a double, three RBIs and two runs scored. He was involved in all of the Indians' scoring plays.
The Indians took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second against Yankees starting pitcher Sonny Gray. Bruce started a rally with a double off the wall in left field and was followed by Carlos Santana, who singled to center field. Lonnie Chisenhall was then hit by a pitch to load the bases with nobody out. Roberto Perez followed by grounding into a 6-4-3 double play, but it was enough to score Bruce from third.
Two innings later, Bruce belted a two-run shot to right field, putting the Indians up 3-0. And in the fifth, he scored Jose Ramirez with a sacrifice fly to center field after Ramirez singled and then advanced to second and third on wild pitches.
Bruce was nearly flipped to the Yankees in August. Instead, he played a key role in flipping Game 1 to the Indians.
