Trevor Bauer didn’t appear to be around long in his final start of Spring Training, but overcame early struggles to meet the target goal for innings pitched. Though, the Los Angeles Dodgers did fail to come back from their early deficit in a 9-2 loss to the Cleveland Indians.
An Edwin Rios throwing error put the leadoff man on in the first inning and Bauer lost a long battle with Jose Ramirez to walk him and put two on with one out. Eddie Rosario hit the first pitch he saw for a two-run double, and a wild pitch brought in a third run.
Bauer nearly worked his way out of the inning but hit Josh Naylor in the foot and was removed at 33 pitches. Bauer returned for the second inning and retired 11 of the next 12 batters faced. That momentum was broken up by Cesar Hernandez leading off the sixth inning with a home run.
However, Bauer locked back in and despite closing one eye along with tipping pitches, struck out Ramirez and proceeded to get through the sixth inning. The book closed on the right-hander at 5.2 innings pitched, four runs (three earned) allowed, and seven strikeouts.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said prior to the game the team hoped Bauer would at least pitch five innings and ideally reach the sixth.
Fellow reigning Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber mowed his way through the Dodgers lineup as he allowed just one baserunner — a double — and had four strikeouts in three innings. L.A. began to cut into their deficit in the fourth when Will Smith followed an Edwin Rios double with a base hit into right field.
Rios initially held at third base but scampered home when Josh Naylor’s throw sailed wide. Matt Beaty followed with a single of his own to right, and another Naylor allowed a second run to score.
Bieber pitched into the sixth inning before giving way to Bryan Shaw with two on and two out. James Outman struck out swinging and the Dodgers didn’t threaten much the rest of the way.
Cleveland blew the game open with a four-run seventh inning.
Mitch White, who was slow to ramp up in the spring and fell behind other pitchers because of a right shoulder impingement, made his 2021 debut in the ninth inning. White immediately gave up a single and double, which led to a run eventually scoring.
Next for Dodgers
The Dodgers now head to California for the start of the annual exhibition Freeway Series, which begins Sunday. David Price is scheduled to start in the series opener and Tony Gonsolin will piggyback him.
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