From the children’s competitions, the coaches insist on something: you must not lose sight of the ball.
Trevor Bauer thinks otherwise.
Eager to challenge himself this preseason, the new Los Angeles Dodgers ace decided to keep his right eye closed when he got out of trouble in Saturday’s game.
He even pointed to his eye as he left the hill.
“I like to put myself in difficult situations and throw differently and find solutions,” National League award-winning pitcher Cy Young told the Los Angeles media. “I think this is how you improve. Find a way to feel uncomfortable, to get better and repeat it.”
After giving San Diego Padres a leadoff single to Jurickson Profar, Bauer walked Tommy Pham. But he did not admit races. With his eye closed, he retired the next three batters.
He finished three empty innings with his wayward challenge. He struckout three, gave up two basehits and walked one batter.
“I think if they couldn’t score me with one eye open, it’s going to be hard to do if they both open,” Bauer said. “I just wanted to have fun.”
Bauer signed a three-year $ 102 million deal with the Dodgers after leaving the Cincinnati Reds. Earlier this week, he threw two shutout innings during his preseason debut.
On Saturday, the Padres closed the Dodgers 2-1 in seven innings.
PIRATES 3, YANKEES 2 (7)
Aaron Boone, the manager of the New York Yankees, returned to the cave three days after surgery to implant a pacemaker.
Boone, who turns 48 in a few days, returned to the camp after passing the COVID-19 protocols and said he felt great.
Gregory Polanco hit a three-hitter, including a homerun for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Dominican collects eight produced in the preseason.
METS 6, ASTROS 1 (6 INNINGS)
Jacob deGrom threw two scoreless innings in his preseason debut. He struckout three and gave up one hit.
The two-time National League Cy Young recipient also received news that he will be kicking off the season opener on April 1 in Washington.
Nor were there many doubts about it.
NATIONALS 5, MARLINS 3 (6)
Patrick Corbin made his first start with the Washington Nationals. He gave up one run and two basehits in two innings in which he struckout three batters.
Brazilian Yan Gomes and Andrew Stevenson singled for the Nationals.
BLUE JAYS 7, PHILLIES 1 (7)
Newcomer Tanner Roark made his first start for the Toronto Blue Jays and gave up a hit in two scoreless innings.
Odubel Herrera singled, moved to third base on Alex Bohm’s double and scored on a wild pitch for the lone run by Philadelphia Phillies.
WHITE SOX 7, INDIAN 0 (7)
Reynaldo López retired all six batters he faced in his opening.
Five pitchers together shutout the Indians, who had only three basehits.
ROYALS 8, GIANTS 6
Mike Minor struckout all six of his opponents in his two-inning start for the Kansas City Royals.
Johnny Cueto, the starter of the San Francisco Giants, retired four of his seven opponents in two innings. Evan Longoria doubled to produce three runs, while Donovan Solano homered for the Giants.
RANGERS 7, DIAMONDBACKS 6
Ronald Guzman hit a solo homerun and Rougned Odor hit a two-run double for Texas Rangers.
Ketel Marte from Dominican Republic doubled and scored a run for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
CUBS 3, BREWERS 1 (7)
Shelby Miller struckout three batters in a two-inning start for the Chicago Cubs, and Joc Pederson hit his second homer of the preseason.
Mexican Luis Urías, infielder for the Brewers, sustained a thigh injury and will not play in the next game.
ROCKIES 8, ANGELS 2 (7)
Colombian José Quintana started for the Los Angeles Angels and retired four of the seven opponents over two innings without giving up a hit.
ATHLETICS 1, MARINERS 1 (7)
Seattle Mariners announced before the game that outfielder Jarred Kelenic, one of baseball’s best players, will be out with a pulled adductor in his left knee.
TIGERS 6, ORIOLES 5
Felix Hernandez started and worked two torturous innings in his Baltimore Orioles-debut, giving up two runs and two walks.
The Venezuelan, a 2010 winner of AL Cy Young and a six-time All-Star Game, turns 35 next month, is on camp as an off-the-pay guest through a minor league contract, and is looking for a job at a given rotation.
Hernandez pitched well in the previous preseason for the Atlanta Braves and appeared ready for a rotation spot for the pandemic. He ultimately declined to play the 2020 campaign.