Tyler Naquin homers again, Cincinnati Reds complete two-game sweep of Cleveland Guardians

CLEVELAND — Tyler Naquin homered in the fifth inning and scored on Kyle Farmer's go-ahead single in the eighth, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 4-2 win over the Guardians on Thursday and the first series sweep of their Ohio neighbors since 2014.

The Reds won both games in the rain-extended interleague set, and are showing positive signs after starting the season 3-21. They're 8-5 since May 5.

The Reds snapped a 1-1 tie by scoring three runs in the eighth off Trevor Stephan (2-1), who gave up three consecutive singles to start the inning and threw wildly to first for an error after fielding a bunt.

Naquin triggered the Reds' rally and had another good game against the Guardians, who drafted him in 2012. In eight games against Cleveland, Naquin is batting .419 (13 for 31) with two doubles, five homers and six RBIs.

Farmer's single to left scored Naquin, the second run came in the eighth came home on Stephan's throw and TJ Friedl hit a sacrifice fly.

Luis Cessa (2-0) replaced effective Reds starter Tyler Mahle in the seventh and got the win. Tony Santillan worked 1⅔ innings for his second save.

The Guardians cut their deficit to 4-2 in the eighth, when José Ramírez hobbled back into the batter's box after fouling a pitch from rookie Alexis Díaz off his right shin, and hit an RBI single. But Santillan came on and got Owen Miller to ground into an inning-ending double play.

The game was played under partly cloudy skies after Wednesday night's was postponed by rain.

Guardians starter Cal Quantrill pitched seven strong innings, but remained winless despite another solid outing. A right-hander, Quantrill allowed just one run and five hits, walked none and struck out five.

Quantrill has quietly been one of the AL's best pitchers since last June, when he moved into Cleveland's rotation. In his previous 26 games, he had a 3.05 ERA, the league's fifth lowest.

Naquin, who spent 2016 to 2020 with Cleveland, tied it 1-1 in the fifth with his fourth homer. He jumped on Quantrill's first pitch, driving it over the wall in left-center for his second homer in the series.

Tito back

Guardians manager Terry Francona was back running the team after testing positive for COVID-19 and missing four games. The Guardians' base coaches, Sandy Alomar and Mike Sarbaugh, are still sidelined.

Votto update

First baseman Joey Votto will finally rejoin the Reds for this weekend's series in Toronto after missing 16 games following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. He's been out since May 3.

A Toronto native, Votto said he dealt with symptoms for more than a week after getting the virus.

Before going out, Votto was batting just .122 with one extra-base hit in 22 games.

Trainer's room

Reds: Left-hander Mike Minor (shoulder strain) will make his third rehab start Friday for Triple-A Louisville. He's slotted to throw 80-85 pitches, and barring a setback, will join the Reds' rotation soon after.

Guardians: First baseman Josh Naylor is expected to return Friday after testing positive for COVID.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cincinnati Reds complete two-game sweep of Cleveland Guardians