Field Level Media
Jul 25, 2018
Trevor Bauer pitched seven-plus shutout innings, Edwin Encarnacion hit a two-out, two-run single and Yonder Alonso hit a two-out, two-run homer Wednesday for the host Cleveland Indians, who ended the Pittsburgh Pirates' 11-game winning streak, 4-0.
Bauer (9-6) allowed two hits, struck out 10 and walked two as the Indians avoided being swept in the three-game series. It was the 12th straight start in which Bauer has struck out at least seven.
Brad Hand picked up a four-out save, his 25th on the year.
Pittsburgh was trying to win 12 straight for the first time since May 21-June 1, 1965. The Pirates also had an eight-game winning streak in interleague games and a five-game road winning streak halted. They had scored six runs or more in each of their previous seven games.
Pittsburgh starter Jameson Taillon (7-8) allowed two runs and seven hits in seven innings, with five strikeouts and one walk. He has lasted at least six innings in four of his past six starts.
Pirates center fielder Starling Marte, the second batter of the game, was hit on the back of the left hand with a pitch. He remained in the game long enough to get thrown out trying to steal second, then left.
Marte's replacement, Adam Frazier, who was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis before the game, got the only extra-base hit off Bauer through seven innings, a leadoff double to the wall in right in the fourth. He was stranded there.
The Indians took a 2-0 lead in the third. Francisco Lindor singled to left with one out. Michael Brantley followed with another base hit to left, putting runners at first and second. Jose Ramirez hit into a fielder's choice, with Lindor going to third. Ramirez stole second ahead of Encarnacion's two-run single to center.
It was Cleveland's first lead of the series.
Alonso hit his 16th homer in the eighth, to right-center off Pirates reliever Felipe Vazquez to make it 4-0 after Ramirez walked and stole second against Kyle Crick.
--Field Level Media