Bauer hit hard in Indians' loss

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Trevor Bauer acknowledges that his season is going downhill fast. The right-hander also admits that he has no idea how to reverse course.

Bauer surrendered six runs, including a career-high-tying three homers, in six-plus innings Thursday night as the Chicago White Sox rolled to an 8-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

“I’m not insane, so I know clearly there are adjustments to be made,” he said. “I’m going to try to figure it out, but if knew what they were, I’d fix it. That’s where I’m at right now. I just don’t know.

“I try to do everything I can to help my team win, but I’m not doing it enough.”

Alexei Ramirez hit a three-run homer, while Melky Cabrera and Adam Eaton had solo shots off Bauer (8-7). It marked the first time a Cleveland pitcher has allowed three home runs in a game since Corey Kluber last Sept. 1, against Detroit.

In his last six starts, Bauer has given up 10 homers and is 2-4 with a 6.82 ERA. Before his skid, the enigmatic Californian was 6-3 with a 3.22 ERA in 13 outings.

“I thought Trevor got a little predictable in the way he was attacking them, but overall, I thought his stuff was pretty good,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “If you make mistakes against the wrong people at the wrong time, they’re going to get you.”

Bauer disagreed, saying Cabrera and Eaton homered “on fastballs right where I wanted them to be. Give props to those guys.”

Bauer, who struck out nine and walked two, leads the American League with 47 bases on balls. His career-high 17 homers allowed are tied for sixth in the AL.

Cleveland only managed four hits — and didn’t draw a walk — in eight innings against White Sox right-hander Jeff Samardzija (7-5).

Rookie shortstop Francisco Lindor singled home Michael Bourn in the sixth for the Indians’ lone run. Lindor and Bourn had two hits apiece, while the rest of the team went 0 for 24.

Chicago added its fourth homer of the night when Cabrera went deep against reliever Kyle Crockett, who hadn’t allowed a run in eight appearances this season.

CLASSY MOVE

Indians 3B Mike Aviles has drawn interest from other teams, but FoxSports.com reported that he will not be traded before the July 31 deadline.

Aviles’ 4-year-old daughter, Adriana, is being treated for leukemia at the Cleveland Clinic. Francona called the report “pretty accurate,” adding, “because of the situation Mike is in with his family, I don’t think [general manager Chris Antonetti] would ever do that.”