Bauer aims to extend hot start vs. Royals

(SportsNetwork.com) - Trevor Bauer tries to continue his amazing start to the season on Tuesday when the Cleveland Indians resume a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field.

After winning his first two starts, Bauer did not get a decision on Monday in Chicago, though to no fault of his own, as he scattered four hits over seven scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 0.95.

Bauer was supposed to start on Saturday, but had the outing pushed back a few days due to food poisoning.

The 24-year-old right-hander, who tossed six no-hit innings in Houston to start his season, has only surrendered two runs in 19 innings and has struck out 26 batters. He's also given up 11 walks.

"I think he believes in what he's doing," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "He might get mad at himself, but it's after he's done pitching. It's not while he's pitching, and I think he's made a lot of strides in that area."

Opposing Bauer will be righty Jeremy Guthrie, who is 1-1 with a 5.50 ERA. Guthrie absorbed the loss on Wednesday against Minnesota, as he gave up three runs and six hits in five innings, but matched a career-high with six walks.

"He did a phenomenal job of getting us through five innings, though," Royals manager Ned Yost said.

Guthrie is 5-5 in 13 games (11 starts) versus the Indians.

Kansas City kept reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber winless in Monday's opener, as Mike Moustakas went 4-for-5, Alex Gordon drove in two runs and Jarrod Dyson stole three bases in the Royals' 6-2 win.

Kluber was charged with six runs -- four earned -- in 6 1/3 innings

After giving up individual runs in the second and third, Kluber (0-3) was handed a fresh slate when Mike Aviles hit a two-run home run in the fifth, but he immediately gave the lead back in the next half inning.

Cleveland is 0-11 when allowing 3-plus runs this season.

"We can't just sit around and lose games until we get hot," Francona said. "We have to find ways to stay in games and win a game that's hard to win."

Jason Vargas (2-1) stumbled through five innings with a career high-tying five walks but limited Cleveland to two runs and earned the win.

Cleveland was 10-9 versus the Royals last season.