Trevor Bauer and Jay Bruce lead Indians to convincing win over Yankees in ALDS Game 1

There were some who doubted Terry Francona’s decision to start Trevor Bauer over Corey Kluber, but it’s probably fair to say that by the time Bauer was done dealing in ALDS Game 1 against the Yankees, those doubters had been sufficiently satisfied with his efforts.

Behind a 6 ²⁄_3-inning outing that included only two hits and no runs, Cleveland took the first game of the ALDS from New York by a score of 4-0. Between their starting pitcher’s confident outing and Jay Bruce’s three RBI, the Indians didn’t have to worry much throughout the game that things wouldn’t go their way.

There was something in the air early, as Trevor Bauer and Sonny Gray were matching each other for the first few half-innings, and Jason Kipnis made an incredible catch that he had no business making in center field.

Cleveland scored its first run in the bottom of the second off of a double-play ball, and the pristine game for the Yankees was cracked. Gray would give up a total of three runs, including a two-run Bruce home run before being pulled with one out in the fourth inning with the Indians up 3-0.

Adam Warren replaced Gray, and he stayed in for an inning before the Yankees replaced him in the bottom of the fifth with reliever Jaime Garcia. Garcia allowed another Bruce RBI (an earned run credited to Warren), but that would be the last run Cleveland scored on their way to a final of 4-zip.

Garcia and reliever Dellin Betances escaped without giving up any runs in their combined 3 2/3 innings, as did both of Cleveland’s relievers (Miller plus Cody Allen) in their combined 2 1/3 innings.

Yankees star Aaron Judge took home a golden sombrero, while other young guys Gary Sanchez and Didi Gregorius also went 0-for-4.

With Kluber set to be on the mound for Friday’s Game 2, New York is going to have to figure out Cleveland’s pitching sooner rather than later if it hopes to even things up.