Bauer gets long-ball backing as Indians split series with Cubs

[April 26, 2018]  Trevor Bauer allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings, and Brandon Guyer, Francisco Lindor and Edwin Encarnacion hit solo home runs as the Cleveland Indians defeated the Chicago Cubs 3-1 on Wednesday at Progressive Field to earn a split of the two-game series between the teams that played in the epic 2016 World Series.

Bauer (2-2) allowed four hits while striking out eight and walking three in his 111-pitch outing in outdueling Chicago starter Jon Lester.

Lester (2-1) took his first loss of the season despite scattering four hits in seven innings with four strikeouts and two bases on balls. He was followed to the mound by Mike Montgomery and Pedro Strop.

Anthony Rizzo's two-out single through the shift in the top of the fifth inning drove home Ian Happ with the game's first run.

Guyer bashed a two-out solo home run off the left field foul pole against Lester in the bottom of the inning to bring the game back to all square, at 1-1.

Cleveland kept to the long ball to take the lead and expand on it in the sixth with solo homers by Lindor and Encarnacion, the latter with two outs.

The Indians added to their lead in the eighth when Lindor scored from first on a bunt by Jason Kipnis and a throwing error by Rizzo

Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester (34) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Indians will remain at home for a four-game series against Seattle that begins Thursday with right-hander Mike Clevinger (2-0, 1.75 ERA) taking the mound for Cleveland to oppose Mariners left-hander James Paxton (1-1, 5.61).

The Cubs head back to the Windy City's North Side to begin a four-game series with Milwaukee, with Chicago right-hander Kyle Hendricks (1-1, 4.09) and Brewers right-hander Chase Anderson (2-1, 3.25) listed as Thursday's probable starting pitchers.

--Field Level Media

[© 2018 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2018 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.