KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In a startling scene, Cleveland Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer suddenly heaved the ball from just past the mound over the center field wall Sunday while being taken out of the game against Kansas City.
Bauer was obviously upset, although it wasn’t clear whether he was mad at his performance or that manager Terry Francona was pulling him.
An All-Star last year, Bauer had just allowed a two-run single to Nicky Lopez that gave the Royals a 7-5 lead with one out in the fifth inning. When Francona emerged from the dugout, Bauer turned, took a couple steps and fired.
Trevor Bauer wasn't happy ?
— Bleacher Report MLB (@BR_MLB) July 28, 2019
(via @FSKansasCity) pic.twitter.com/cemR2XLlky
Bauer, whose quirky pregame routine includes a lot of long toss, put that practice to use as he let fly. Several Cleveland infielders incredulously watched the episode — rookie center fielder Oscar Mercado had his back turned and was looking at the wall when he saw the ball land, and spun around, trying to figure out what happened.
Hey @statcast. Need exit velo and launch angle plz. pic.twitter.com/tuneoa9dTG
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 28, 2019
As Francona reached the mound, he and Bauer appeared to exchange words. Francona followed Bauer into the dugout and both disappeared into the tunnel. Both reappeared in the dugout later in the inning, separate but both apparently fuming.
Trevor Bauer opened with an apology before taking any questions after throwing a ball over the center-field wall out of frustration in today’s game: pic.twitter.com/FUMxILdGmd
— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) July 28, 2019
Bauer allowed eight runs, seven of them earned, on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings.
“I’m an intense competitor and that fire is what drives me,” Bauer said before answering questions. “Today it completely consumed me and took over. I just wanted to say I’m sorry for how I behaved. It won’t happen again.”
