CLEVELAND — History will have to wait.
After three of their pitchers tossed eight hitless innings, the Indians saw their bid for the franchise's first no-hitter in 38 years fall by the wayside in the top of the 9th after a single by Toronto's Freddy Galvis.
The Indians hung on to beat the Blue Jays, 4-1, as closer Brad Hand allowed a run on three hits before finally finishing off Toronto for the save.
Starter Trevor Bauer threw 117 pitches, striking out eight and walking six before being taken out after seven innings. He was never dominant against a Blue Jays team that has come close to being no-hit several times this season.
On opening day, Detroit's Jordan Zimmermann was perfect against the Blue Jays until giving up an infield single with two outs in the seventh. Baltimore's David Hess was pulled with a no-hitter intact after 6 1/3 innings Monday at Toronto.
Jon Edwards recorded two outs in the eighth inning before giving way to Hand for the final out with the bases loaded, setting up the drama for the final frame.
The Indians haven't had a no-hitter since Len Barker threw a perfect game in 1981 against Toronto.
.Before his pitch count got too high, Bauer was backed by some terrific fielding, highlighted by first baseman Carlos Santana's diving stop to rob Socrates Brito of a possible hit to end the fifth inning. In the sixth, right fielder Tyler Naquin ran down Rowdy Tellez's sinking liner toward the line.
The Indians have had numerous close calls over the years since Barker's gem. Despite having several Cy Young winners and All-Stars, none of Cleveland's pitchers have been able to make history and now Bauer has a near miss.
It was his second strong outing this season. He held Minnesota to one hit over seven innings on Saturday in his first start of the season.
Early on, it appeared Bauer might not get through three innings. He lost his command in third, when he threw 31 pitches on loaded the bases on a walk to Galvis, hitting Hanson on the foot and walking Brandon Drury walked. Bauer regrouped by striking out Brito and Randal Grichuk before retiring Tellez on a fly to center.
The Indians gave Bauer all the support, scoring two runs in the fourth and in the seventh.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Blue Jays: 1B Justin Smoak was pulled from the original lineup because of a sore neck.
Indians: 2B Jason Kipnis will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Columbus on Friday. He hopes to return during a road trip next week. The two-time All-Star strained his right calf late in spring training. Kipnis took grounders before Thursday's game.
UP NEXT
The four-game series continues Friday with Blue Jays RHP Trent Thornton facing Indians RHP Shane Bieber. Thornton struck out eight over five innings in his major league debut on March 31 at Detroit. Bieber makes his first start this season. He went 11-5 with a 4.55 ERA as a rookie in 2018.
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