Naylor’s HR, six RBIs spotlight Guardians’ uncommon energy surge in win over Orioles

What a uncommon sight it was, watching the Cleveland Guardians smashing house runs, spraying hits everywhere in the ballpark and repeatedly touching down on house plate.

Josh Naylor homered, had a career-high 4 hits and drove in six runs to spotlight an unusual energy show by Cleveland in a 12-8 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday.

Josh Bell and Gabriel Arias additionally went deep for the Guardians, who had gone 264 consecutive plate appearances with no lengthy ball earlier than Naylor related within the fourth inning. Cleveland notched season highs in runs and hits (17) whereas scoring in double figures for the primary time in a nine-inning sport.

“It’s nice to see these guys score runs and get some hits,” supervisor Terry Francona stated. “You can pat guys on the back and say, ‘Hey, nice swing,’ but now, having something to show for it, hopefully it keeps them going because they’ve been frustrated. I’m frustrated with them. But I’m happy for them today.”

Naylor doubled within the third inning, hit a two-run homer within the fourth, added a three-run double within the fifth and tacked on an RBI single within the seventh.

“Everyone did their part today,” Naylor stated. “We had runners get on base, and I think that each runner that gets on base feeds confidence into the next guy. We played a complete game of baseball today.”

Steven Kwan had three hits and scored three runs for the Guardians, who took two of three from Baltimore to win successive sequence for the primary time for the reason that begin of the season. Prior to coming to Baltimore, Cleveland captured a three-game sequence towards St. Louis.

“Two great teams. It’s huge,” stated starter Shane Bieber, who lasted solely 4 innings. “A lot of different individuals stepped up.”

Anthony Santander homered for Baltimore and Aaron Hicks had two hits and scored twice in his Orioles debut earlier than leaving with muscle cramps. But Baltimore blew leads of 4-1 and 7-6 whereas dropping a second straight sequence for the primary time in 2023.

Baltimore used seven pitchers, opening with Keegan Akin and shifting to Austin Voth. Each of the primary 5 gave up at the least one run.”

“It was good to see our offense fight back, but kind of an off day for the pitchers,” Voth stated.

Cleveland trailed 5-3 within the fourth inning earlier than Naylor related off Cionel Pérez, and Bell adopted with one other lengthy ball.

Santander’s two-run drive within the backside half put the Orioles up 7-6 earlier than the Guardians took management with a five-run fifth. After Cleveland loaded the bases towards Mychal Givens (0-1), Naylor doubled in three runs and Arias homered to make it 11-7.

Xzavion Curry (2-0), the second of seven Guardians pitchers, pitched the fifth inning and obtained the win.

José Ramírez hit two doubles to maneuver right into a tie for fifth place with Ken Keltner for many extra-base hits by a Cleveland participant (538).

HICKS UP – AND OUT

Hicks had an up and down afternoon in his first sport with the Orioles. He began in heart area and went 2 for two with a stroll and two runs scored, however left after the sixth inning with muscle tightness.

Baltimore supervisor Brandon Hyde hopes a change of surroundings will rejuvenate Hicks, who batted .188 with the Yankees earlier than being launched and subsequently signed by the Orioles on Tuesday.

“He’s had a tough year so far,” Hyde stated. “Hopefully he can turn it around for us with a fresh start, a new beginning.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Guardians: RH Triston McKenzie (shoulder) threw 85 pitches for Triple-A Columbus in what is perhaps his remaining rehab outing whereas on the 60-day injured record. McKenzie pitched three innings Tuesday earlier than rain stopped play, and he rounded out the evening by throwing within the bullpen. Now it’s as much as the crew to resolve if the 25-year-old is able to make his 2023 debut.

Orioles: OF Austin Hays was held out due to an sickness, Hyde stated.

UP NEXT

Guardians: RH Tanner Bibee (1-1, 2.88 ERA) begins Thursday evening within the opener of a four-game highway sequence towards AL Central rival Minnesota.