Bauer sets Reds playoff record with 12 Ks vs. Braves
Take a bow, Trevor Bauer.
The right-hander set a Cincinnati Reds record for most strikeouts in a postseason game with 12 over 7 2/3 shutout frames Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves.
As he left the field after being removed, he offered a sarcastic "Tomahawk Chop" to the empty Atlanta stands.
Trevor Bauer, 12th K...and Chop.
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 30, 2020
Cy Bauer. pic.twitter.com/aPtHTX0ny1
The presumptive favorite for the NL Cy Young award became the first pitcher in postseason history to strike out 12 while walking none and allowing two or fewer hits.
The impending free agent adds the outing to a 2020 resume that saw him go 5-4 with a 1.73 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, and 100 strikeouts over 73 regular-season innings.
He exited with the game locked in a 0-0 tie. The Reds ultimately lost what became the longest scoreless game in MLB postseason history when Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off RBI single in the 13th inning.
Bauer wasn't pleased with the result after the pitching staff kept the Braves off the board through 12 innings.
"You can't fault the pitching," Bauer said, according to Jason Foster of The Sporting News.
Veteran first baseman Joey Votto offered his assurance that it wouldn't happen again in the series.
Joey Votto: "I look forward to moving on to the next round"
— C. トレント・ローズクランズ (@ctrent) September 30, 2020
Game 2 is set for Thursday at 12:08 p.m. ET.