Indians Rout Yankees 4-0 In ALDS Opener: Highlights

Trevor Bauer delivered a dominant, six-inning performance and Jay Bruce led Cleveland’s offense to propel the Indians to a 4-0 home thrashing of the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Thursday night.

Indians vs. Yankees ALDS Game 1 Score

“It couldn’t have gone any better for us,” said Bruce, who homered and drove in three runs for the defending AL champions. “It’s a dangerous team with all the guys that can leave the ballpark with one swing, and the guys that run the bases well. I mean, they have a very dynamic lineup over there, and for us to show them none of that was important.”

Bauer held New York to just two hits over 6 2/3 innings. The right-handed starter struck out eight, walked one and took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before Aaron Hicks broke it up with a one-out double.

Pitchers Andrew Miller and Cody Allen finished off Cleveland’s shutout victory.

Many were surprised after Indians manager Terry Francona decided to start Bauer instead of Corey Kluber for the opener. Bauer’s 17-batter no-hit run over 5 1/3 frames was the longest in Indians playoff history.

“He had his breaking ball early, and he had a good one,” Francona said. “He had his life on his fastball. He pitched in. I thought he pitched a terrific game.”

Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis made an incredible diving catch to rob Chase Headley of a homer in the third inning as the Tribe led 1-0.

According to  Statcast,™ Kipnis — who was playing as a center-fielder — covered 88 feet in 4.7 seconds. 

The game also marked Yankees right-hander Sonny Gray’s postseason debut. Gray lasted just 3 1/3 innings after allowing four walks and three runs.

Game 2 of the ALDS is set for Friday at 5pm EST at Progressive Field. Kluber (18-4, 2.25 ERA) will start for the Tribe. CC Sabathia (14-5, 3.69 ERA in 2017), a former Indians ace, will take the mound for the Yankees in a matchup of former AL Cy Young Award winners.

Kluber posted a 1.62 ERA in 23 starts from June 1 to the end of the regular season.

CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 05: Andrew Miller #24 of the Cleveland Indians delivers the pitch during the seventh inning against the New York Yankees during game one of the American League Division Series at Progressive Field on October 5, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)