Tag Archives: Josh Naylor

Cleveland uses 5-run 7th to secure victory

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The Cleveland Baseball Club used two home runs in a five-run 7th inning and win over Kansas City.

If there is one thing that the Cleveland Baseball Club has been missing this season it has been timely hitting. After Monday, it appears that the tide appears to be turning in this area. A five-run 7th inning against the Royals propelled the Cleveland Baseball Club to victory.

With the game tied at 3 late with Amed Rosario and Jose Ramirez on base it was Eddie Rosario who came to bat and he delivered. Rosario crushed his third home run of the season.

After Rosario’s home run it was Harold Ramirez reaching on a single and Josh Naylor channeling in his inner Franmil Reyes. Naylor hit his first home run of the season, extending the Cleveland lead to 5.

Kansas City did not roll over and accept defeat as they would score two more 3 more runs in the game, but it was not enough as Cleveland came away victorious.

Aaron Civale was Cleveland’s starter on the day and he pitched admirably. Civale allowed 3 runs on 7 hits with 3 walks and 2 strikeouts. While the stakeouts were a little lean, that was to be expected against this Royals team. Overall this is the type of outing expected from Civale.

Emmanuel Clase would come on for the save in the 9th. Clase allowed 1 hit and stuck out another to end the game. The flame-throwing closer only needed 13 pitches to secure the win for Cleveland.

Cleveland falls in extras to Cincinnati 3-2

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The Cleveland Baseball Club dropped their second straight game against the Cincinnati Reds in extra innings by a score of 3-2.

Unfortunately for Josh Naylor, he is a key figure in the Cleveland Baseball Club’s loss to the Cincinnati Reds Saturday. The first moment came in the 8th inning as he lined into a triple play with a chance to extend Cleveland’s one-run lead.

This was the first time a Cleveland baseball player hit into a triple play since Sandy Alomar Jr. over 20 years ago.

The real heartbreaker came in the bottom of the 9th. With two outs in the inning and a win all but guaranteed, Naylor was unable to properly field what should have been a game-ending ground ball.

This led to Cincinnati tying the game in the 9th and eventually winning in the 10th.

While it is easy to blame Josh Naylor solely for the loss, there’s more to it than that. Eddie Rosario failed to return to third base on the triple play. Emmanuel Clase had Jesse Winker down 0-2 after Naylor’s error. The game changing events surround Naylor, but there were other factors at play that prevent it from being entirely his fault.

Game notes

An Eddie Rosario triple in the 3rd inning brought Amed Rosario in to score for Cleveland’s first run of the game. Andres Gimenez gave Cleveland the lead in the 4th with his second home run of the season.

Triston McKenzie got the start for Cleveland and pitched well enough that he should have came away with a win. McKenzie allowed just 1 run on 5 hits and 4 walks while striking out 7. The base on balls was trouble yet again, but McKenzie was able to prevent the walks from hurting him.

Bryan Shaw, Nick Wittgren, and James Karinchak worked 3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen after McKenzie’s exit. The trio only allowed 1 hit and 1 walk with 5 strikeouts, Karinchak struck out all three batters he faced.

Cleveland is looking to avoid being swept Sunday at 1:10 at Great American Ball Park.

Cleveland takes on Detroit in final game of series

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The Cleveland Baseball Club is looking for a series sweep against the Detroit Tigers in their final game of their three game series.

Saturday night provided the Cleveland Baseball Club with everything they could have hoped for. A dominant pitching performance from Aaron Civale with five home runs leading to an 11-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers. Cleveland now has the chance to sweep the Tigers after nearly being swept a week before.

It will be the second start of the season for Logan Allen. Allen pitched in a losing effort on Monday as Cleveland was shut out 3-0 against the Royals. The young lefty allowed 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks in 5 innings. Both runs that came across to score against Allen were on a two-run homer from Whit Merrifield. Allen has only faced the Tigers for a handful of at-bats (15), allowing 4 hits, 4 walks, 3 RBI, and 1 home run to Grayson Greiner.

Jose Urena will be the Tigers starter in what is also his second start of the season. Minnesota pounded Urena in a 15-6 loss, allowing 5 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks. The former Marlin has not been the most consistent pitcher in his career, but at his best he is better than his previous start. There are two batters in the Cleveland lineup with with extensive history against Urena, Amed Rosario and Cesar Hernandez. Rosario is 6-15 with 2 doubles while Herndanez is 9-33 with 3 home runs and 1 triple. Franmil Reyes has also homered once in six at-bats and so as Josh Naylor in just two.

First pitch is schedule for 1:10 P.M.

Examining the Cleveland Baseball Club outfield

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Coming out of the 2020 season there was two, possibly three outfielders that could be penciled into the starting lineup for the Cleveland Baseball Club on a regular basis. Those three were Franmil Reyes, Josh Naylor, and Oscar Mercado. Now that the team has gone out and signed Eddie Rosario that number increases by one more and a little bit more clarity comes to that group. In Cleveland’s group of outfielders there are some players who will get significant at-bats and others who will see play time sparingly if at all. Before we get into some of those players, there is an issue that must be discussed.

Musical chairs at three positions

Exactly which position some of these options play will give a better perspective into how the Cleveland outfield will be constructed. While all names that will be mentioned can play the outfield, there are other positions that they have the ability to play.

First base is a position that can be manned by two players, the aforementioned Josh Naylor and Jake Bauers. If either player can fill that position, it provides an opportunity for the other in the outfield, although there is a better chance for Naylor to stick in the outfield than Bauers.

Last season there was a plan to try and get Franmil Reyes more time in the outfield. For a variety of reasons that did not come to pass and Reyes saw his playing time almost exclusively at DH. If Reyes does find his way into the Cleveland outfield this season it will impact the playing time of a non-outfielder, that person being Bobby Bradley. Reyes in the outfield clears a path for Bradley to get regular playing time at the major league level. If not, Bradley will have to fight for the first base position with Bauers and Naylor or even spend more time at AAA. This should go without saying but Reyes and Rosario in the corner outfield spots are not defensive wizards so that could come into play in regards to whether or not Reyes is an option in the field.

The last chance duo

There are two players on the roster who may not be long for Cleveland if they do not find a way into the lineup, the previously mentioned Jake Bauers and Bradley Zimmer. Bauers is someone who has options at first base if outfield is not an option, but Zimmer is purely an outfielder. The issue with Zimmer has been injuries and a subpar performance at the plate. Even with the reconstructed swing Zimmer is not all that inspiring when he steps into the batters box. If Cleveland determines that they are not in need of their services, and that seems very possible, that they may have to try and catch on with another club.

The part-timer

Here is what we know about Jordan Luplow, he can mash left handed pitching and struggles against righties. Luplow is a left handed pitching hitting specialist for Cleveland and his career splits show that. Against lefties Luplow slashes .275/.379/.603/.982 while against righties it is /.193/.274/.316/.589. 18 of Luplow’s 23 career home runs have come against lefties and 15 of 24 doubles. It is pretty clear that Luplow should only see playing time against left handing pitching.

The unknown and the best combination for Cleveland

There is one player that fans have been screaming to get a legitimate chance in the Cleveland outfield, Daniel Johnson. Johnson only has 13 plate appearances at the major league level and definitely deserves a real opportunity. Johnson has always been blocked one way or another in the outfield and has not really had a chance to make an impact. Now there is a path, but it is consists of a very specific combination. This path exists only if Reyes is the DH, Naylor is at first, Rosario in left, and Mercado in center with everyone else not being a real option.

Of all the combinations for Cleveland this one actually makes the most sense. Naylor fills the hole at first base, Rosario plays his familiar left field, Mercado patrols center, and Reyes can concentrate on hitting and can settle in to what his probably his future permanent position. If the construction of the roster ends up this way it should give them the best combination of all their pieces. This version of the Cleveland outfield seems to be the most stable and could provide the most offensive production for a group that has been lackluster for quite some time.

Cleveland completes sweep of White Sox

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The Cleveland Baseball Club used a four-run 7th inning to propel themselves to a 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox Thursday night.

Down 3 runs in the 7th inning the Cleveland Baseball Club rallied and channeled some of their late inning magic. They were able to score 4 runs in the inning and come away with a 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox completing the four game sweep. 

The bottom of the 7th started off with singles from Josh Naylor, Tyler Naquin, and Mike Freeman. After Delino DeShields grounded into a fielders choice and Francisco Lindor popped out, Cesar Hernandez came up to the plate. Hernandez would drive in 2 runs with a single to bring Cleveland within 1. Jose Ramirez would follow Hernandez and he delivered, driving in 2 more runs to give Cleveland a 5-4 lead. Cleveland would hold on to the lead and secure the victory over the stumbling White Sox. 

Ups and downs from the pitching staff

Zach Plesac started for Cleveland and he was up and down. Plesac allowed 4 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks in 6.2 innings with 7 strikeouts. Plesac allowed a solo home run to Yolmer Sanchez of all people in the 3rd inning. Like Cleveland, Chicago did most of their damage in the 7th inning. The White Sox combined 3 hits and a walk to push 3 runs across in the inning. Plesac would leave after Nomar Mazara drove in 2.

The Cleveland bullpen did their job after Plesac’s exit. Cam Hilll came in during the 7th and ended the inning and would go on to begin and finish the 8th. Brad Hand came on in the 9th to record his 15th save of the season.

Cleveland is currently 2 games back of the Minnesota Twins and 1 game back of the Chicago White Sox. Things could get interesting in the AL Central as the White Sox face the Cubs, the Twins take on the Reds, and Cleveland plays against the lowly Pirates.

Cleveland’s final regular season series begins Friday at 7:10 P.M.

Cleveland defeats White Sox 7-4

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Home runs from Jose Ramirez and Carlos Santana propeled the Cleveland Baseball Club to a 7-4 win over the Chicago White Sox.

The Cleveland Baseball Club kicked off their crucial four-game series with the Chicago White Sox with a 7-4 win Monday. Cleveland totaled 10 hits and walked four times as they were able to get out ahead early, never trailing in the game.

Jose Ramirez keeps on swinging a hot bat and he hit a three-run homer in the Top of the 1st inning to give Cleveland an early lead.

After Josh Naylor doubled and a Delino DeShields Walk, Cesar Hernandez would drive in another run to extend the lead to 4 in the 2nd. The lead would not last.

Aaron Civale would surrender four runs in the 5th inning. Jose Abreu would drive in Yasmani Grandal and Tim Anderson to cut the lead in half. The game would become tied with a two-run homer from Eloy Jimenez. These were the only runs in the game for Chicago. Civale would go on to pitch 6 innings, allowing those 4 runs on 8 hits and 3 walks while striking out 6.

The game did not remain tied for long, Carlos Santana would hit a two-run home run in the bottom half of the 5th to reclaim the lead.

Franmil Reyes would hit a sacrifice fly in the 7th to extend the Cleveland lead to 3.

Nick Wittgren and James Karinchak would pitch the 7th and 8th innings, striking out 5 batters. Karinchak would walk one batter, but they did not score.

Things got a little dicey in the 9th with Brad Hand on the mound. Nick Madrigal would lead off the inning with a single. Tim Anderson nearly cut into the lead, but Delino DeShields was able to rob the Chicago shortstop of a hit.

Hand would strike out James McCann and Jose Abreu looking in consecutive at-bats to end the game.

Some other Cleveland batters of note
  • Josh Naylor went 3-4, but left the game after injuring his foot sliding into second.
  • Francisco Lindor was 2-5 with a run scored.
  • The trio of Franmil Reyes, Tyler Naquin, and Roberto Perez were a combined 0-11 with 5 strikeouts. Reyes did have the sac fly in the 7th to make his night somewhat redeemable.
Cleveland will look to make it two straight over Chicago and three straight overall Tuesday at 6:10 P.M.

Cleveland offense struggles in 7-1 loss

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The Cleveland Baseball Club only managed 4 hits in their 7-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

It’s hard to win when the offense only manages 4 hits and that is why The Cleveland Baseball Club did not come out on top Friday night. Cleveland only scored 1 run on 4 hits and 2 walks while being kept in check by the Milwaukee Brewers pitching staff.

Cesar Hernandez, Tyler Naquin, Josh Naylor, and Oscar Mercado were the only Cleveland batters to finish with a hit. Jose Ramirez, Francisco Lindor, Carlos Santana, Franmil Reyes, Austin Hedges, and Delino DeShields were a combined 0-19. The middle and bottom of the order were hitless and that makes it hard to score runs.

Carlos Carrasco started for Cleveland and it was quite a laborious outing. Carrasco only allowed 1 run on 6 hits and 3 walks while striking out 7, but it was not as easy as the line would make it seem. Carrasco had to work hard to get as deep into the game as he did.

Things did not got well after Carrasco exited the game. Phil Maton allowed 3 runs on 2 hits and 1 walk in just one third of an inning. Oliver Perez relived Maton and a run came across to score, but it was not earned. Cleveland was still technically in the game when Maton and Perez were pitching, but were pretty much taken out of it after their appearances concluded.

James Karinchak has been outstanding this year, but Friday night was different. Karinchak allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and 1 walk in just 1 inning. Karinchak allowed a home run Keston Hiura which would extend Milwaukee’s lead to 6. This was the first home run surrendered by Karinchak in his career.

Cleveland will look to bounce back Saturday as Game 2 is scheduled to start at 7:10 P.M.