The Tigers went on to beat the Indians, 9-5, on Sunday afternoon at Progressive Field.
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Bauer allowed six runs on 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings for the Indians.
The first baseman was hit on the left hand by a pitch in the first inning but remained in the game. Three batters later, he hit Victor Martinez in the right knee with the bases loaded.
Jeff Manship replaced Carrasco with Kinsler on first base after the infield hit.
The Indians led 2-0 when Bauer, who had already hit Miguel Cabrera with a pitch in the first inning, opened the third by plunking Ian Kinsler in the head.
Indians No. 3 starter Danny Salazar has not pitched since September 9 because of a strained right forearm and is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Indians: RHP Josh Tomlin will start Tuesday against Kansas City, the opener of a three-game series.
The loss puts the Indians’ lead in the division and their magic number to clinch at seven games. It was the second time in the series that Victor Martinez was hit by a pitch in his right knee. I’m trying to compete and execute pitches and get them out. “I felt like we could’ve been a little better – not for a lack of effort – but to me, this one is more frustrating than last night”. Andrew Romine pinch-hit for Kinsler in the sixth and stayed in the game to play third base.
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said he didn’t think Bauer was trying to hit anyone on goal, but didn’t like the results. This is the big leagues, and if youre going to hit guys in the head and the kneecap then somethings got to give..
Kinsler was ejected by Baker following the bottom of the fifth, which Ausmus attributed to a misunderstanding.
“I think the umpire thought Kinsler was motioning towards him when he was really just communicating with Miggy [Cabrera on defensive positioning], and it just kind of snowballed from there”, Ausmus said.
“Trevor was scattering balls all over the place”, said Indians manager Terry Francona. “There were balls down, in, up, out”. You could tell there was no intent, but I understand why guys were getting aggravated.
Now, obviously people get sensitive about this type of thing, but it’s pretty evident Bauer wasn’t doing this on goal. Tigers starter Daniel Norris (3-2, 3.63 ERA) then fired the first pitch of the bottom of the fifth behind Rajai Davis, warranting Baker to warn both benches.
Cabrera will need another 13 hits to move up to 99th on the all-time hits leader list, a spot now held by Jimmy Ryan (1885-1903, mostly with the Cubs).
“I think it’s going to help a lot”, Cabrera said of getting a day to rest.
Tigers: 3B Nick Castellanos (broken right hand) will face pitchers the next two days in Lakeland, Florida. He could return during the final two weeks.
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Indians: OF Lonnie Chisenhall (strained abdominal muscle) was announced as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning but was removed following a pitching change.
