Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Bo Naylor's Pinch-Hit, 3-Run Homer Sends AL Central-Leading Guardians to Win Over Giants
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 6 months ago on
July 8, 2024

Bo Naylor connected for a pinch-hit, three-run homer in the sixth inning to give the Guardians a 5-4 win over the Giants on Sunday and another home series win for the AL Central leaders. (GV Wire Composite)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

CLEVELAND — Bo Naylor connected for a pinch-hit, three-run homer in the sixth inning to give the Cleveland Guardians a 5-4 win over the San Francisco Giants on Sunday and another home series win for the AL Central leaders.

Stepping in for Austin Hedges, Naylor connected with two outs off Sean Hjelle (3-3) as the Guardians improved to 30-11 at Progressive Field — the majors’ best home mark — and 11-0-1 in series at home.

With the Giants leading 3-2, Andrés Giménez and Tyler Freeman singled with two outs, and Naylor fell behind 0-2 before belting an inside 2-2 pitch over the wall in right for his first career pinch-hit homer.

As Naylor rounded the bases, his older brother, Josh, came on to the track outside Cleveland’s dugout to cheer.

“He’s usually one of the few people that I hear yelling through the crowd,” the younger Naylor said. “Just one of the many reasons that I’m very grateful to have him.”

Bo Naylor is batting ,311 (14 of 45) with two homers and 11 RBIs in 15 games since June 19.

“I’m sure Bo is the first one to tell you he’s not pleased or satisfied with the year he’s having offensively,” manager Stephen Vogt said. “But he’s made such huge strides the last three, four weeks now being willing to make an adjustment in season and to stay ready. He was so prepared for that at-bat.”

Up Next

Giants: LHP Blake Snell (0-3, 9.51 ERA) returns from the injured list to start the opener of a three-game home series on Tuesday against Toronto. Snell has been out since June 3 with a strained left groin. He pitched five no-hit innings in his most recent rehab start for Triple-A Sacramento.

Guardians: RHP Gavin Williams (0-1, 11.25) makes his second start of the season in the first of four games at Detroit. Williams only made his season debut last week after being sidelined with a sore elbow.

Guardians’ Performance

Cade Smith (4-1) worked the sixth, and Tim Herrin and Hunter Gaddis an inning each. Cleveland closer — and expected All-Star reserve — Emmanuel Clase gave up a run before notching his league-leading 27th save.

Clase has given up just four earned runs all season, and his 0.85 ERA is the lowest among baseball’s relievers. The right-hander has been dominant by design.

“It has been the focus from Day One — just to execute every single pitch,” Clase said through a translator. “It means a lot fewer pitches, so I think that’s the result of what we’ve trying to do.”

Michael Conforto hit a two-run homer for the Giants, who have lost seven of their last eight day games. San Francisco went 3-3 on a trip to Atlanta and Cleveland.

“I thought we played well,” said manager Bob Melvin. “We were in every game, and when we have a lead late, we expect to win. A .500 trip and would have liked to have been one game better.”

Cleveland’s Steven Kwan went 1 for 4, dropping his major league-leading average to .364.

The Guardians didn’t get their first hit off rookie Hayden Birdsong until the fourth and then got four straight to score twice.

Josh Naylor hit an RBI single, rookie Daniel Schneemann had an RBI double and Cleveland pulled to 3-2 with none out. Birdsong, though, escaped more damage with a strikeout, a putout at the plate and pickoff at first.

Conforto, who came in batting .323 with eight extra-base hits in his previous 13 games, gave the Giants a 2-0 lead in the second with a 440-foot homer into the right-field seats.

Upcoming Events and Milestones

MAYS CELEBRATION

The Giants are honoring Willie Mays with a public tribute on Monday at Oracle Park. The Hall of Famer died on May 18. He was 93.

FAN FRIENDLY

The Guardians, who have struggled with attendance in recent years, eclipsed one million fans in their 41st home game, the quickest Cleveland has drawn one million fans since 2008.

EXTRA SPECIAL

José Ramírez’s double in the fourth inning was his 621st extra-base hit, moving past Hall of Famer Jim Thome for third most in club history. Ramírez only trails Tris Speaker (667) and Earl Averill (724).

Trainer’s Room

Guardians: OF Chase DeLauter (foot), one of Cleveland’s top prospects, has progressed in his rehab and should be playing at one of the club’s minor league affiliates after the All-Star break. DeLauter raised his profile in spring training when he batted .520 with four homers and 10 RBIs in 13 games.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Opinion: Does Jesus Want Christians to Be Environmentalists?

DON'T MISS

Illegal Immigrant Faces Murder Charges in Death of Woman Lit on Fire in NYC Subway

DON'T MISS

$1M Investment in Fresno Lender to Help Small Businesses Get Funding

DON'T MISS

Who Is Making a Difference in Fresno? Explore This List of 2024’s Shining Stars

DON'T MISS

Fresno State Tossed by Northern Illinois in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

DON'T MISS

2 Rescued After Santa Cruz Wharf Partially Collapses Due to Heavy Surf From Major Pacific Storm

DON'T MISS

Spain Faces Threats of Terrorism and Unrest, US Warns in Travel Advisory

DON'T MISS

Bill Clinton Is Hospitalized With a Fever but in Good Spirits, Spokesperson Says

DON'T MISS

Media Relations Expert Leaves City Hall for Valley Children’s Hospital

DON'T MISS

Amar Augillard Departs the Fresno State Basketball Team

UP NEXT

Illegal Immigrant Faces Murder Charges in Death of Woman Lit on Fire in NYC Subway

UP NEXT

$1M Investment in Fresno Lender to Help Small Businesses Get Funding

UP NEXT

Who Is Making a Difference in Fresno? Explore This List of 2024’s Shining Stars

UP NEXT

Fresno State Tossed by Northern Illinois in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

UP NEXT

2 Rescued After Santa Cruz Wharf Partially Collapses Due to Heavy Surf From Major Pacific Storm

UP NEXT

Spain Faces Threats of Terrorism and Unrest, US Warns in Travel Advisory

UP NEXT

Bill Clinton Is Hospitalized With a Fever but in Good Spirits, Spokesperson Says

UP NEXT

Media Relations Expert Leaves City Hall for Valley Children’s Hospital

UP NEXT

Amar Augillard Departs the Fresno State Basketball Team

UP NEXT

Former Bulldog QB Mikey Keene Commits to Michigan

Who Is Making a Difference in Fresno? Explore This List of 2024’s Shining Stars

12 hours ago

Fresno State Tossed by Northern Illinois in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

13 hours ago

2 Rescued After Santa Cruz Wharf Partially Collapses Due to Heavy Surf From Major Pacific Storm

13 hours ago

Spain Faces Threats of Terrorism and Unrest, US Warns in Travel Advisory

14 hours ago

Bill Clinton Is Hospitalized With a Fever but in Good Spirits, Spokesperson Says

14 hours ago

Media Relations Expert Leaves City Hall for Valley Children’s Hospital

14 hours ago

Amar Augillard Departs the Fresno State Basketball Team

15 hours ago

Former Bulldog QB Mikey Keene Commits to Michigan

15 hours ago

Thunderstorms on Christmas Eve? They’re in the Fresno Forecast

16 hours ago

SE Fresno Voters Have Their Pick of Familiar Candidates to Succeed Chavez

16 hours ago

Opinion: Does Jesus Want Christians to Be Environmentalists?

As Christmas approaches, I know that my Christian friends will ask me why I chose to work for the environmental nonprofit Earthday.org inste...

13 minutes ago

13 minutes ago

Opinion: Does Jesus Want Christians to Be Environmentalists?

11 hours ago

Illegal Immigrant Faces Murder Charges in Death of Woman Lit on Fire in NYC Subway

12 hours ago

$1M Investment in Fresno Lender to Help Small Businesses Get Funding

12 hours ago

Who Is Making a Difference in Fresno? Explore This List of 2024’s Shining Stars

13 hours ago

Fresno State Tossed by Northern Illinois in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

A closed wharf is seen in Santa Cruz, Calif., Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, after the pier partially collapsed and fell into the ocean. (AP/Martha Mendoza)
13 hours ago

2 Rescued After Santa Cruz Wharf Partially Collapses Due to Heavy Surf From Major Pacific Storm

14 hours ago

Spain Faces Threats of Terrorism and Unrest, US Warns in Travel Advisory

14 hours ago

Bill Clinton Is Hospitalized With a Fever but in Good Spirits, Spokesperson Says

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend