Bauer beans Kinsler in Tigers’ win

Cleveland pitcher hits 3 batters in rare loss to Detroit

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Trevor Bauer needs to pitch well for Cleveland’s injury-depleted rotation as the Indians close in on the AL Central title.

Bauer had a rough afternoon in Sunday’s 9-5 loss to the Detroit Tigers. The right-hander hit three batters and allowed six runs in 52/3 innings.

In the third inning, Ian Kinsler got his helmet knocked off by a pitch from Bauer. The right-hander also hit Miguel Cabrera on the left hand in the first and Victor Martinez on the right knee later in the third.

After being hit, Kinsler grabbed the side of his head, was examined and went to first.

Saturday, Carlos Carrasco, the Indians’ No. 2 starter, broke his right hand after being hit by Kinsler’s line drive. Danny Salazar is unlikely to pitch again because of a strained right forearm, meaning the Indians need someone to line up behind staff ace Corey Kluber. Right-handers Josh Tomlin and Mike Clevinger have been moved from the bullpen and will start this week.

Although Bauer struggled against Detroit — a loss that reduced Cleveland’s lead over the Tigers to seven games — he’s not feeling any extra responsibility.

“I never feel pressure,” he said. “My process is the same every time I pitch.”

Bauer (11-8) will likely have three more starts in the regular season.

“I try to go out there and execute pitches at a high level,” he said. “Some days I’m better at that than others. It’s the same process, the same mindset, and it’s not for a lack of effort.”

Kinsler was being tested for a concussion after the game.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said he didn’t think Bauer was trying to hit anyone on purpose, but didn’t like the results.

“If you can’t command the ball inside, you’ve got to maybe not go inside,” Ausmus said. “This is the big leagues, and if you’re going to hit guys in the head and the kneecap then something’s got to give.”

Kinsler was ejected by home plate umpire Jordan Baker following the bottom of the fifth, which Ausmus attributed to a misunderstanding.

“I think the umpire thought Kinsler was motioning towards him when he was really just communicating with Miggy [Cabrera on defensive positioning], and it just kind of snowballed from there,” Ausmus said.

Bauer apologized following the game, the Indians’ second loss in 15 games to the Tigers. Detroit is one game behind Toronto for the second AL wild-card spot.

“Regardless of game situation, I would never intentionally throw at someone’s head,” Bauer said. “That has no place in the game. I know saying sorry for it doesn’t really change that it happened.”

Indians manager Terry Francona admitted Bauer’s command was an issue.

“That’s probably the understatement,” he said. “There were balls down, in, up, out. You never want to see somebody get hit in the head. You could tell there was no intent, but I understand why guys were getting aggravated. Guys were getting drilled pretty good. I get it.”

Detroit starter Daniel Norris (3-2) threw the first pitch of the bottom of the third behind Rajai Davis, which led to both sides being warned by Baker.

Carlos Santana homered in the Cleveland sixth.

J.D. Martinez and Justin Upton homered as the Tigers defeated the AL Central-leading Indians for only the second time in 15 tries this season. Cabrera added his 2,500th career hit.

Ausmus thought the incidents might have provided some motivation for his team.

“You get a little bit angry or you get a little more focused,” he said.

The teams begin a four-game series in Detroit next week with Bauer as one of Cleveland’s scheduled starters.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Tigers: 3B Nick Castellanos (broken right hand) will face pitchers the next two days in Lakeland, Fla. He could return during the final two weeks.

Indians: OF Lonnie Chisenhall (strained abdominal muscle), who has been out of the starting lineup since Thursday, pinch hit in the ninth.

UP NEXT

Indians: Tomlin will start Tuesday against Kansas City, the opener of a three-game series.