by Rowan Kavner
Memories of Hideo Nomo, the only pitcher to spin a no-hitter at Coors Field, started coming to mind as Trevor Bauer strutted off the mound after his ninth strikeout through six hitless innings in his Dodger debut Friday in Colorado.
There’s a reason the feat has only happened once at the hitter-friendly ballpark, though.
Colorado shortstop Trevor Story ended Bauer’s no-hit bid with a single to start the seventh inning. One batter later, outfielder Charlie Blackmon launched the first of two home runs off Bauer and four home runs total in a six-run inning for the Rockies. Suddenly, there was more concern than losing a no-hit bid.
“I’ve played here enough, managed here enough that no game is out of reach,” said manager Dave Roberts.
But the Dodgers withstood the Rockies’ sudden onslaught in an 11–6 win for their first victory of the season and Bauer’s first victory as a Dodger. Bauer left to a standing ovation from the Dodger fans in attendance after striking out 10 batters and allowing four runs in 6 1/3 innings.
“I thought he had a really good mix between speeding them up and slowing them down,” said Corey Seager, who had a three-hit night. “Watching him be able to manage a game and know what he wanted to do and be able to execute it, it was really special.”
Bauer’s cutter and slider played vital roles in his success, contributing to the majority of his 10 strikeouts and getting a combined 12 swings and misses.
He’s the first visiting pitcher to throw at least six no-hit innings at Coors Field since Tim Lincecum on April 18, 2011. As he strutted through his performance, Bauer said he never thought about the no-hitter. His teammates did, though.
“We were aware of it,” Seager said. “Obviously once it gets that late in the game, you’re pretty aware of it.”
The Dodgers played their part in providing Bauer assistance. He had a 2–0 lead before he ever threw a pitch in his new uniform.
A day after the Dodgers went 3-for-16 with runners in scoring position, leaving 14 runners on base in their season debut, their offense more closely resembled the reigning champion club that scored 59 two-out runs last postseason.
Max Muncy and Will Smith recorded two-out singles to start the scoring in the first inning. An inning later, Mookie Betts, Corey Seager and Justin Turner hit a trio of two-out doubles. The Dodgers sprayed 16 hits and scored all of their 11 runs without the assistance of a homer.
“This is a well-rounded offense that can beat you in a lot of ways,” said Turner, who finished with three hits and three RBI.
Meanwhile, Bauer cruised through his performance. Supportive defense, including a diving play from Gavin Lux, helped keep Bauer’s no-hitter alive early. Lux was also one of five Dodgers to record multiple hits in the win.
Bauer got into the offensive action, too. In the seventh inning, he dropped down a sacrifice bunt and reached first base when the throw went late to home plate. He eventually got to third base in the inning. The baserunning came right before he lost his no-hitter.
“There might be something to that,” said manager Dave Roberts. “I don’t think we can kind of guard against it, but pitchers aren’t used to being out there. He’s at altitude and on his feet. There’s a routine pitchers typically have in between innings. He didn’t have that. But I know Trevor’s not going to make any excuses.”
He didn’t.
Bauer said the baserunning didn’t bother him before the trouble inning. He also said refocusing wasn’t an issue after losing the no-hit bid, and he doesn’t think the elevation in Colorado should be much of a topic.
“I think that whole ‘not favorable to pitchers’ thing is overblown,” Bauer said. “I think a lot of guys come in here and beat themselves mentally before they even take the mound. As far as the no-hitter goes, I don’t really care. If it happens, it happens. It’s not something that’s in the pitcher’s control, unless you strike out 27 guys.”
The Rockies weren’t done with their barrage after Bauer’s departure. From one Dodger debut to another, David Price entered in relief and was greeted by back-to-back home runs. He eventually got out of the inning with two strikeouts.
Things got wackier in his next inning of work, when a cat running onto the field caused a delay — just the latest oddity through two games in Colorado that have included a home run turning into a single and a 10–0 lead nearly evaporating.
In the end, the Dodgers and Rockies have taken a game apiece.
“They’ve been different,” Seager said. “That’s this ballpark. You’ve got to keep scoring and never stop.”
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