Trevor Bauer dominant against D-backs in Indians win
Aug 14, 2014, 12:11 AM | Updated: 12:11 am
On Wednesday, Cleveland Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer took the mound to face his former team, the Arizona Diamondbacks, for the first time since being traded away in December of 2012.
The right-hander was dominant, out-dueling D-backs pitcher Vidal Nuno by pitching eight innings of two-run, four-hit baseball and striking out nine in the process. The Indians won 3-2 in walk-off fashion.
Bauer, who compiled a 6.06 ERA in four starts with the D-backs in 2012, is now 4-7 with a 4.35 ERA for the Indians this season. He has a 5-9 record in 22 starts since leaving Arizona.
D-backs shortstop Didi Gregorius — the featured acquisition for Arizona in the three-way trade — went 0-for-3 against Bauer Wednesday and hitless on the day.
Bauer, who has frequently struggled to throw strikes over the course of his career, walked two D-backs hitters Wednesday. While with Arizona, he surrendered 7.2 walks per nine innings and last year saw that number rise to 8.5. In 2014, he has tapered his BB/9 rate down to under 3.5.
In less peripheral metrics, Bauer’s 4.35 ERA this season would factor in below the average rate for D-backs starters this season, who have combined for a 4.55.