Josh Naylor 8th inning homer lifts Cleveland to win

An 8th inning solo home run from the Cleveland Baseball Club outfielder propelled the team to a 6-5 victory over the Angels.

After an early offensive onslaught and seven capable innings from Zach Plesac, the Cleveland Baseball Club found themselves in need of some help late in the game with things all tied up. Josh Naylor stepped up to the plate in the 8th and delivered with a solo home run which would give Cleveland their first victory in five games. 

The scoring got started in the 1st inning for Cleveland as they ambushed Andrew Heaney with five runs in the frame. Jose Ramirez started things off with a two-run shot that would drive in Amed Rosario. Harold Ramirez would reach on an error from Angels second baseman Phil Gosselin that also resulted in Franmil Reyes and Eddie Rosario scoring on the play. Yu Chang would proceed to drive in Ramirez with a sacrifice fly to cap off their early offensive assault. 

For Plesac on the mound it was the long ball which got him. Shohei Ohtani responded in the bottom of the 1st with a solo home run, his second home run of the series. Justin Upton would hit a three-run homer in the 4th which scored Ohtani and Anthony Rendon. A surprising home run from Jose Iglesias would tie things up in the 7th setting up the dramatic moment for Naylor in the next inning. 

Bryan Shaw would pitch the 8th inning, striking out two while earning the hold. James Karinchak came on in the 9th to preserve the win with his fourth save of the season. Karinchak would allow one baserunner to reach on a walk while striking out another in the inning. 

Cleveland takes on the Angels in their third and final game of the series Wednesday at 8:07 P.M. The pitching matchup features Aaron Civale facing Shohei Ohtani.