CLEVELAND — Josh Naylor hit a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th inning to complete a four-run rally that gave the Cleveland Guardians a 7-6 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night. Wednesday.
Amed Rosario started the comeback with a double off closer Emilio Pagán that sent automatic runner Richie Palacios to the plate and forced the Twins to turn to reliever Jharel Cotton (2-2).
A pass ball by Ryan Jeffers sent Steven Kwan to the register and Cotton retired Jose Ramirez before Naylor hit his drive into the left-field seats, his first career home run to end a game.
After touring the bases, Naylor head-butted Cleveland manager Terry Francona, who was wearing a helmet. Earlier in the season, an emotional Naylor tossed his helmet into the dugout after a big home run in Chicago.
Minnesota had taken a 6-3 lead in the top of the inning on Carlos Correa’s RBI single and Max Kepler’s two-run homer off Eli Morgan (4-2). It was Kepler’s 14th career home run in 45 games at Progressive Field.
The teams have split the first four games of a five-game series, giving the Twins a two-game lead atop the AL Central over the Guardians.
For the Guardians, the Dominicans Amed Rosario 4-4 with an RBI and two runs scored; Franmil Reyes 4-0 with one produced; Jose Ramirez 5-1; Oscar Gonzalez 4-0. The Venezuelan Andrés Giménez 5-0.
For the Twins, Colombian Gio Urshela 4-2 with one produced and one scored. The Dominicans Gilberto Celestino 3-1; Gary Sánchez 5-1 with a run scored; Jorge Polanco 5-0. Puerto Ricans Carlos Correa 1-1 with an RBI and a run scored; Jose Miranda 4-1. The Venezuelan Luis Arráez 5-0.
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Naylor, Guardians rally with gold HR in the 10th