Bo Naylor slammed his first-ever grand slam, while Austin Hedges hit his first home run since June 14, helping the Cleveland Guardians secure a 7-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday night.
Naylor’s powerful hit to right field in the sixth inning, with two outs, came off Angels starter Reid Detmers (3-3), who had loaded the bases with three walks.
“I’m always prepared to play, and this was a fantastic chance to contribute to the Guardians’ win,” Naylor expressed. “Our team is incredibly resilient, and we take every game very seriously.”
This marked a career-high four RBIs for the third-year catcher. “I simply didn’t execute; the pitch landed right where he wanted it,” Detmers reflected. “It’s frustrating, but that’s just how baseball goes. We’ll move past it.”
Despite batting .111 this season, Hedges managed to hit a two-run homer in the second inning. Ramón Laureano also contributed with a solo shot in the fourth for the Guardians, who currently hold the second-best record in the American League at 21-12.
Unfortunately, Cleveland left fielder Steven Kwan, who leads the AL with a .353 batting average, had to leave the game after the third inning due to left hamstring tightness. He was visibly limping as he walked off the field after the game.
Ben Lively (1-1) pitched for six innings, conceding only one run on four hits while striking out five. The right-handed pitcher broke a nine-game streak without a win, which included four losses since defeating Kansas City on June 14.
“Ben has been fantastic for us,” commented Guardians manager Stephen Vogt. “He goes after hitters with all of his pitches and shows no fear.”
In the fifth inning, the Angels reduced their deficit to 3-1 with Zach Neto’s single, bringing Jo Adell home. However, Ehire Adrianza’s flyout with the bases loaded ended the threat. Neto and Adell each stole a base in the inning.
Los Angeles hasn’t won consecutive games, or a series, in Cleveland since 2013, having lost 24 of their last 27 games at Progressive Field. The Angels won 6-0 against the Guardians in the series opener. Detmers, a left-handed pitcher, allowed season-highs of seven runs and three home runs in 5 2/3 innings.
“Reid was competing, but he left a pitch over the plate to a left-handed hitter (Naylor),” said Los Angeles manager Ron Washington. “In my wildest dreams, I would have never thought that would happen.”
