Cleveland Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer was his own worst enemy Monday in Game 3 of the ALDS.
Bauer took the mound in the top of the seventh inning with a 2-1 lead as Cleveland looked to stave off elimination against the Houston Astros. He allowed a leadoff single to Tony Kemp, and then made a bad pickoff throw to allow him to advance to second. After a George Springer infield single and Jose Altuve fielder’s choice tied the game at 2, Bauer fielded an Alex Bregman comebacker to the mound and made an even more serious mistake on his throw to second, tossing it wide of the base to ensure everyone was safe.
Bauer then walked Yuli Gurriel, loading the bases for Marwin Gonzalez, who made him pay by reaching for a 3-1 pitch and hitting a two-run double into the left field corner.
.@marwinGF9 with another MASSIVE hit. #ALDS pic.twitter.com/FQexZ5g8IC
— MLB (@MLB) October 8, 2018
Amazingly, Bauer’s two errors were the second and third throwing errors made by Cleveland pitchers on the day, matching their total for the entire season.
Gonzalez’s double left the Indians six defensive outs away from being swept. They’ve played a poor series and a very sloppy Game 3, and that will sting if it turns out to be their last game of the season.
