Josh Naylor, Guardians beat A’s again

[1/38]Jun 21, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams (63) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

June 22 – Josh Naylor had four hits, including a solo home run, to help the Cleveland Guardians rally for a 7-6 win against the visiting Oakland A’s in the second game of their three-game series on Wednesday night.

Jose Ramirez had three hits and Steven Kwan delivered two for the Guardians, who have won three in a row.

Cleveland starter Gavin Williams went 5 2/3 innings in his MLB debut. He allowed four runs (all in the third inning), four hits, struck out four and walked three.

The 6-foot-6, 250-pound right-hander was the 23rd overall pick by the Guardians in the 2021 MLB Draft.

Eli Morgan (3-1) earned the win in relief and Emmanuel Clase recorded his 22nd save.

Ryan Noda hit a three-run homer and Esteury Ruiz had three hits for Oakland, which has lost seven straight following a seven-game winning streak.

A’s starter Paul Blackburn allowed four runs and nine hits in five innings. He struck out seven and walked one.

Tony Kemp singled, Tyler Wade doubled and Ruiz singled in the third to give the A’s a 1-0 lead. Noda then lifted a 2-2 curveball over the fence in right for a 4-0 lead.

With runners on the corners and no outs in the third, Cleveland’s Amed Rosario grounded a single into right on a hit-and-run play. Bo Naylor scored and Kwan followed him home after right fielder Ramon Laureano’s fielding error, cutting the deficit to 4-2.

Andres Gimenez added a sacrifice fly later in the inning to make it 4-3.

Ramirez tripled to lead off the fifth and came home on a single by Josh Naylor to tie the score 4-4.

Kemp and Aledmys Diaz had one-out singles in the seventh before Ruiz followed with an RBI single to move Oakland back in front 5-4.

One out later, Seth Brown singled home Diaz for a 6-4 lead.

Josh Naylor went deep with one out in the seventh to cut the deficit to 6-5.

Bo Naylor’s first MLB hit after starting 0-for-19 put runners on the corners with one out in the eighth off Austin Pruitt (1-5).

Kwan then lined the ball into right field and the throw hit him as he slid into second base, allowing Naylor to follow Myles Straw home for a 7-6 lead.

–Field Level Media

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