Friday’s Guardians-Rangers game featured a unique entry into the MLB history books courtesy of a rare instance of sibling synergy in the third inning.
After launching two-run home runs to give the Guardians an early lead, rookie catcher Bo Naylor and first baseman Josh Naylor became the first brothers in franchise history to go yard in the same game.
The booming at-bats also gave the Naylors the distinction of being the first brothers to homer in the same inning for the same team since former Braves B.J. and Justin Upton went yard against the Rockies in back-to-back plate appearances in April 2013. They are also the fourth pair of brothers to homer in the same inning in the Expansion Era (since 1961), along with the Uptons, Tommie and Hank Aaron, and Billy and Cal Ripken.
The special moment began after Bo blasted a 435-footer off Rangers starter John Gray with outfielder Myles Straw on first base to give Cleveland a 2–0 lead. After watching the next three batters, Josh, perhaps looking to one up his brother, increased the lead thanks to a 354-foot homer with shortstop Amed Rosario at second.
Hug me, brother!
— MLB (@MLB) July 15, 2023
Bo and Josh Naylor just hit 2-run homers in the same inning! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/1qclxpamO9
Friday’s awesome scene made for a feel-good moment for the Naylors and Cleveland in the club’s first game after the All-Star break.
For Bo, who was called up from the minors on June 16, the moonshot, his second of the season, could give the 23-year-old some momentum at the plate. As for Josh, the Guardians’ second-best hitter, the play added to his already standout season, as he now has his 12th HR and a team-high 66 RBI on the year.
