CLEVELAND — Top prospect Gavin Williams struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings for his first victory in the majors, brothers Bo and Josh Naylor drove in two runs apiece and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Kansas City Royals 10-6 on Saturday.
Williams (1-1) gave up three runs on eight hits and walked one in his fourth start. The right-hander made his debut June 21, two years after being drafted in the first round by Cleveland out of East Carolina.
Both Naylors had two singles and a double as the Guardians collected a season-high 18 hits, taking over first place in the AL Central from Minnesota at 45-44. They built a 5-0 lead after four innings en route to moving above .500 for the first time since April 19.
“Honestly, it’s awesome to get my first win out of the way,” the 6-foot-6, 250-pound Williams said. “Even though I just got here, being in first place, that’s where everyone wants to be. I feel like we’re going to keep doing well.”
Josh Bell went 3 for 3 with two walks and two RBIs, and Amed Rosario had three hits in Cleveland’s third consecutive victory. Josh Naylor has 32 RBIs over the last 32 games, while Bo Naylor broke out of a 1-for-19 slump with his second three-hit performance.
“It’s super good to see progress, little by little,” Bo Naylor said. “And Gavin was electric. He makes the game fun, being able to catch him.”
The Royals scored six times between the fifth and eighth to close to 7-6, but failed to tie it in the eighth when Nicky Lopez was tagged out mere inches from home plate on Maikel Garcia’s RBI double to center.
Myles Straw fired the ball to cutoff man Andrés Giménez, whose throw home to Naylor couldn’t have been more perfectly placed. Guardians manager Terry Francona called it “the best relay I’ve ever seen.”
“They beat us on that play,” Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said. “It was a great relay.”
Bobby Witt Jr. went 3 for 5 with a solo homer, RBI triple and stolen base for the Royals, who are 0-6 on their seven-game trip and have been outscored 41-14. It was Witt’s sixth three-hit game of the season.
Kansas City starter Brady Singer (5-8) worked five innings, allowing six runs on a career-high 13 hits while striking out three. The right-hander is 2-4 with a 7.54 ERA in seven road outings.
“I missed quite a few spots and the ones in the zone were getting hit,” Singer said. “I don’t think I got into a groove the whole day.”
The Guardians tacked on three runs in the eighth against Nick Wittgren, restoring their four-run lead. Bell’s two-run single was the big blow, allowing All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase to pitch the ninth in a non-save situation.
The first pitch was delayed by exactly an hour because of rain.
WELCOME BACK
Royals LHP Ryan Yarbrough, who was struck on the temple by a 106.2 mph liner off the bat of Oakland’s Ryan Noda on May 7, will be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Sunday.
Yarbrough suffered multiple facial fractures, but never lost consciousness during the frightening incident at Kauffman Stadium. The 31-year-old made his final rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Omaha, tossing six scoreless innings.
“Ryan has recovered well from it, both mentally and physically,” Quatraro said. “He feels great and is ready to go.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Royals: OF Edward Olivares (back tightness) was a late scratch after reporting to the ballpark with discomfort. MJ Melendez shifted to left field and Michael Massey was moved into the lineup at designated hitter.
Guardians: RHP Peyton Battenfield (right shoulder inflammation) is eligible to come off the 60-day IL on July 18. The rookie has made one rehab appearance for Double-A Akron, walking four over three scoreless innings.
UP NEXT
Guardians RHP Shane Bieber (5-5, 3.66 ERA) was set to face Yarbrough (1-4, 6.15 ERA) on Sunday in the series finale. Bieber is the only Cleveland pitcher not to miss a start, taking the ball 18 times in the first 89 games.
