Cleveland Baseball Insider

Josh Naylor's Historic Series Leads Guardians Past Angels

Josh Naylor is the first player since 1961 to hit go-ahead home runs in the eighth inning or later.

Tommy Wild

Josh Naylor's Historic Series Leads Guardians Past Angels
Josh Naylor's Historic Series Leads Guardians Past Angels /
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The Cleveland Guardians entered their series with the Los Angeles Angels on Friday evening with the fewest hit home runs in baseball. And while they still have that title, Cleveland added three more homers to the list thanks to Josh Naylor.

Hitting three home runs in a series and in three consecutive games is impressive enough as it is. However, considering when Naylor hit these home runs and what the score was makes it that much more impressive and even historic.

Friday

Naylor stepped into the box on Friday night with the game tied at three in the bottom of the eighth inning. A lot of fans questioned why he was still in the box with lefty Matt Moore on the mound. Naylor has historically struggled a lot against left-handed pitching. 

But he didn't stumble in this at bat as he hit a moon shot into the bullpen giving the Guardians a one-run lead. Unfortunately, they couldn't hold on in the ninth and dropped the opener. 

Saturday

Cleveland found themselves in a similar situation on Saturday night, but this time down four runs in the eighth inning. Jose Ramirez and Josh Bell started a rally that scored a pair, but the real damage came when Naylor got to the plate.

The lefty smoked a three-run home run off Ryan Tepera giving the Guardians a one-run lead. Cleveland never looked back and went on to win the game.

Sunday

If you've picked up on the theme then you know what's coming next.

Cleveland and L.A. were tied in the eighth inning after Tanner Bibee and Patrick Sandoval put on a fantastic pitcher's duel. But the Guardians started to get some base runners once they got into the Angels' bullpen.

With two runners on base, Josh Naylor once again hit a clutch home run giving the Guardians the lead late in the game.

Naylor is now the first player since 1961 to hit go-ahead home runs in the eighth inning or later. 

It's no secret that Cleveland's offense has struggled over the last month. But if this series and Naylor's performance can't get them going, then I'm not sure what will.

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Read More:

Tanner Bibee Strikes Out Seven In Another Dominant Start For The Guardians

Cleveland Doesn't Hit A Lot Of Home Runs, But It's Electric When They Do

Jose Ramirez Reaches Career Milestone On The Base Paths

Guardians Overcome Poose Base Running In Win Over Angels

Guardians Rally For Six Runs In The 8th Inning To Beat The Angels

LOOK: Four Guardians Receive Their Gold Glove Awards

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Photo Credit © Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

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Tommy Wild
TOMMY WILD

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