The Cleveland Guardians opened a crucial series against the Kansas City Royals on Monday.
They started it with the right foot, winning the first game 4-2 on a dominant night by starter Gavin Williams.
Williams completed seven frames and conceded just a single hit.
He surrendered one run and two walks, while striking out six foes and lowering his season ERA to 4.55.
He appears to be hitting his stride, and it couldn’t have come at a better time for Cleveland.
With the win, the Guardians increased the gap over the Royals to 4.5 games, but their division lead remains at 3.5 games because the Minnesota Twins beat the Tampa Bay Rays and didn’t lose any ground.
One of the stars of the night for Cleveland, besides Williams and his inspired game, was Josh Naylor.
The first baseman hit his 29th home run with one men on in the sixth inning, and reached 100 RBI on the season with a little less than a month to go.
Now, the Guardians employ the only duo in MLB who has cleared the 100-RBI threshold.
“A first in @MLB in 2024. @CleGuardians middle-of-the-order hitters José Ramírez and Josh Naylor are the first set of teammates in the big leagues this season to have 100 RBI each,” Bally Sports Cleveland posted on X.
A first in @MLB in 2024.@CleGuardians middle-of-the-order hitters José Ramírez and Josh Naylor are the first set of teammates in the big leagues this season to have 100 RBI each.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/hTwj0ZnPdG
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) September 2, 2024
Since we know you are wondering, Juan Soto of the New York Yankees woke up on Tuesday with 96 RBI.
He’s close, but hasn’t gotten there yet as opposed to Aaron Judge.
There have been some peaks and valleys, but Naylor has driven in 100 runs for the Guardians and that’s huge.
He’s having a career season and intends to keep going.
Now, Jose Ramirez has 105 RBI and Naylor and his 100 are right behind.
The Guardians would probably be lost without these two.
NEXT: Guardians Executive Highlights The Amazing Evolution Of The AL Central
