Francona 'hated' pulling Bauer with no-no, but 'it was the right thing'

Trevor Bauer's pitch count got the best of him.

The Cleveland Indians right-hander was removed in the seventh inning of Thursday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays with a no-hitter intact after throwing 117 pitches.

"I didn't want to take him out," Indians manager Terry Francona said, according to Zack Meisel of The Athletic. "He said he knew it was the right thing. I told him I hate it. He goes, 'I hate it too, but I know it's the right thing.' I care too much about him and this organization to hurt somebody.

"I would have loved to have seen it because I don't doubt that he would've kept pitching and probably not given up a hit the way (he) was throwing. I just have an obligation to do the right thing even when it's not the funnest thing to do."

Bauer was dominant in his second start of the season, striking out eight batters, but also managed to walk six, which contributed to his high pitch count. It was just the seventh time in his career that Bauer threw at least 117 pitches. He tossed a career-high 127 pitches last May against the Houston Astros.

Jon Edwards came on in relief to a chorus of boos with the no-hitter intact and a 4-0 lead in the eighth. He promptly loaded the bases with two walks and a hit by pitch before being bailed out by closer Brad Hand. Hand would issue a leadoff single to Freddy Galvis in the ninth to end the combined no-hitter.

It's been a tough start to the season for Toronto. Bauer is the fourth pitcher to carry a no-hitter into the sixth inning against the Blue Jays this season, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

Cleveland would win the game 4-1.