TOLEDO - For the record, Trevor Bauer has pitched in colder weather than what chilled him and the Clippers to the bone last night at Fifth Third Field.

TOLEDO � For the record, Trevor Bauer has pitched in colder weather than what chilled him and the Clippers to the bone last night at Fifth Third Field.

�I threw a game in college,� the former UCLA star said. �We were playing Nebraska in the first week in March, maybe. It was 17 degrees before wind chill. So it felt like about 5 degrees during the game. It was nice and sunny. It was a beautiful day out. But it was just cold.�

In spite of the mid-30s temperature last night, Bauer (1-0) persevered and pitched six shutout innings in a 3-1 Clippers victory over the Toledo Mud Hens. He walked one and struck out nine. But it wasn�t as easy as it looked.

�I never had a good feel for my off-speed stuff today,� Bauer said. �I used my fastball more than I normally would. It was tough because I couldn�t feel the ball in my hand. I never had a good feel for what my body was doing half the time. But it�s my job. I can deal with that.�

His fastball topped out at 96 mph, and he built his velocity from the first to the sixth inning.

�It�s nice to see myself be able to maintain throughout the game,� Bauer said. �I threw a couple of good (breaking balls) when I was able to get a grip on the ball.�

Manager Chris Tremie was pleased with Bauer�s performance, which was his second start for the Clippers this season.

�I think his fastball usage and his ability to throw the ball where he wanted to both with his off-speed pitches and his fastball, and his were just a tick better than the last time,� Tremie said. �The way he threw the ball tonight, he�s going to be tough whoever is hitting.�

The Clippers jumped on Toledo starter Drew VerHagen (0-1) for two runs in the first inning. Tim Fedroff led off with a walk and went to third on a Jose Ramirez single. After Ramirez stole second, Jesus Aguilar and Carlos Moncrief followed with back-to-back RBI singles.

Bauer made the 2-0 lead seem bigger.

Catcher Roberto Perez helped him by catching James McCann off second base with a pickoff throw in the fourth inning.

Perez caught Bauer in 2013 and sees great improvement.

�The difference is he�s throwing strikes,� Perez said. �He�s keeping the ball down in the zone, and he�s attacking hitters. Last year, it was a little bit rough. This year, he throws everything for strikes.�

Outfielder Nyjer Morgan is expected to join the team today after being optioned by the Cleveland Indians. Infielder Justin Toole will return to double-A Akron.

jmassie@dispatch.com