CLEVELAND (AP) – Trevor Bauer chopped slugger Aaron Judge and New York’s other big bats down to size, and Jay Bruce drove in three runs as the Cleveland Indians began chasing their first World Series title in 69 years with a 4-0 win over the Yankees on the Thursday night in the opener of the AL Division Series.
Bauer struck out Judge three times, twice getting the MVP candidate looking. He allowed just two hits in 6 2-3 innings 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 angrily snatched at his bat frustration.
Cleveland Indians’ Francisco Lindor, left, congratulates starting pitcher Trevor Bauer before Bauer left in the seventh inning of Game 1 of a baseball American League Division Series, against the New York Yankees on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017, in Cleveland. Bauer pitched 6 2/3 innings and gave up two hits. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Bruce connected for a two-run homer in the fourth off Sonny Gray and added a sacrifice fly in the fifth as the Indians began a journey to try and end the majors’ longest Series title drought.
Corey Kluber, an 18-game winner during the regular season, will start for the Indians in Game 2 on Friday against CC Sabathia.
New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge reacts after striking out against Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer during the sixth inning of Game 1 of a baseball American League Division Series, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona congratulates starting pitcher Trevor Bauer as Bauer leaves during the seventh inning against the New York Yankees in Game 1 of a baseball American League Division Series, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017, in Cleveland. Bauer pitched 6 2/3 innings and gave up two hits. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Cleveland Indians’ Jay Bruce watches his RBI sacrifice fly against New York Yankees relief pitcher Jaime Garcia during the fifth inning of Game 1 of baseball’s American League Division Series, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Cleveland Indians’ Jay Bruce, right, is congratulated by Edwin Encarnacion after Bruce hit a two-run home run off New York Yankees starting pitcher Sonny Gray during the fourth inning of Game 1 of a baseball American League Division Series, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Cleveland Indians’ Jason Kipnis catches a fly ball hit by New York Yankees’ Chase Headley during the third inning of Game 1 of a baseball American League Division Series, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
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