The Los Angeles Dodgers outslugged the San Francisco Giants on Monday to extend their winning streak to four games and pull to within 1.5 games of first place in the National League West standings.
Trevor Bauer again was plagued by the home run ball as he allowed two solo shots over six innings pitched, upping his total on the season to 19. “Yeah, it’s definitely bad luck,” Bauer said after the game.
“I mean, it’s not like I’m missing middle with pitches. At some point it will get better, I guess. I don’t know. Happy they’re solos, I guess.”
The two home runs represented the only damage done against Bauer as he pitched out of several jams to preserve the Dodgers’ lead. “Big pitches in critical situations,” he said of what was key to winning the opener.
“Obviously we know they have a really good offense and put good at-bats together. I think everyone did a good job of working out of trouble. We don’t expect to come in and have an easy night.
“We’re prepared for them to put up good at-bats, for them to be on the bases, and it’s about being able to work out of those jams and execute enough good pitches that we keep runs off the board.”
Bauer ended his night by striking out Darin Ruf with a runner on second base in the top of the sixth and noticeably was fired up as he walked back to the dugout. “I mean, it was a big situation. I was excited to get out of it,” Bauer said.
“I don’t think it was tension or frustration. Walking off the field I pointed to the Dodger fans. They were loud and got up in a big situation. They were cheering, so I figured I’d acknowledge them.
“It was a big situation, a one-run game and I was able to work out of a guy on second, no-out jam, so I was kind of fired up.”
Bauer receives thorough inspection from Angel Hernandez
One of the most interesting moments of Bauer’s outing against the Giants came after he struck out LaMonte Wade Jr. to retire the side in the top of the fourth.
As Bauer was walking off the mound, umpires did a mandatory check for foreign substances, which included inspecting his hat and glove.
Angel Hernandez took it a step further when he thoroughly checked Bauer’s hand. “I’m surprised no one asked about Angel Hernandez,” Bauer said to conclude his postgame interview with the media.
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