CLEVELAND -- Tyler Naquin opened the month of May filling in for the injured Jonathan India as the Reds leadoff hitter, but couldn't shake a slump and also missed time on the COVID IL. On May 8, manager David Bell moved Naquin down in the order and he's batted fifth, sixth or seventh since.

Starting May 9, Naquin went on a tear. The quality of his swing was on display during the Reds' 4-2 win over the Guardians on Thursday for a two-game series sweep at Progressive Field. His solo home run in the fifth inning tied the game and he scored the go-ahead run in a rally during the three-run top of the eighth.

Naquin, normally a right fielder who was the designated hitter on Thursday, is batting .424 (14-for-33) in nine games since May 9 with two homers and eight RBIs.

"I like RBIs," Naquin said of moving down in the order. These guys get on base and whoever it is in the middle of the lineup, [Joey] Votto, [Colin] Moran, [Mike Moustakas], any of these guys. We look to do damage any time, pick your spots and get your swings off. You’re always looking to square it up."

With Cincinnati, trailing, 1-0, Naquin did just that when he hit a first-pitch changeup from Cal Quantrill into the seats in left-center field for a game-tying solo home run -- his second in two games. Statcast estimated the home run distance at 423 feet, with 111 mph exit velocity.

“He’s tearing it up," Reds shortstop Kyle Farmer said. "When his swing is right, I think he’s one of the best hitters in the league. You don’t see a 111, oppo. His swing is really nice, his timing his great and he’s looking really good.”

Against reliever Trevor Stephan leading off the eighth inning, Naquin hit a single into left field.

"To my eye, it just looks like his bat speed is really great right now," Bell said. "I know there’s reasons for that, a lot of little adjustments he’s made along the way."

When Colin Moran lifted a single to center field, Naquin saw center fielder Myles Straw hesitate briefly to field the ball on a high hop and alertly reached third base.

Farmer followed with an RBI single lined hard into left field to score Naquin. A third run scored on Stephan's errant pick off throw to first base to bring home pinch-runner Matt Reynolds.

“I think the biggest part of that rally was Naquin’s baserunning going first-to-third," Farmer said. "That kind of goes unnoticed because you usually expect someone to do it but it’s hard to read. He did a good job doing it. That takes pressure off of me hitting. A runner on first and second is different. I probably would have bunted. [Instead] it takes pressure off me because I can put a ball in the air and get the run in.”

Cincinnati, with an 11-26 record overall, has won five of its last seven games and seven of 10. The club is 3-0-1 over its last four series as well.

The Reds and Guardians split their four-game Ohio Cup season series. Based on a vote by Cincinnati and Cleveland media, Naquin was named the Frank Robinson Most Outstanding Player of the Ohio Cup for going 8-for-15 with three homers and four RBIs.

"I didn’t know it was a thing until they brought it in here. It’s cool," Naquin said. "I’ll take all the trophies I get. It’s a lot of fun. It’s a fun team, we’re hitting a stride and playing some good ball."

Adding to the satisfaction for Naquin was that he did damage against his old team. Often injured while with Cleveland, he was non-tendered after the 2020 season and signed a Minor League contract with the Reds in Spring Training of 2021. He made the club out of camp and set career highs with 127 games played, 19 homers and 70 RBIs.

In eight games over the last two years vs. Cleveland, Naquin is batting .419 (13-for-31) with five homers and five multi-hit games.

"In Naq's first year here, there were times where he put up over a .900 OPS. So we saw it," Guardians manager Terry Francona said. "He just had trouble staying healthy."

Naquin was batting .197 after May 8 and is now slashing .266/.316/.486 with four homers and 21 RBIs.

"We’ve seen him do it before, it’s no surprise," Bell said. "He’s a big part of our lineup, really, no matter where he hits [in the lineup]. It’s been good to see him really swinging the bat."