Salvador Perez’s monster night helps KC Royals sweep AL Central leader Cleveland
If the Kansas City Royals are going to snap their playoff drought, they’ll need their captain to lead the way.
Salvador Perez sure took charge against the Cleveland Guardians in Monday’s Game 2 of a split doubleheader at Progressive Field. Perez hit two homers, including his sixth career grand slam, as the Royals cruised to a 9-4 victory in a clash of American League Central leaders.
“We all know what’s the goal,” Perez said. “You know, every time you play a really good team like Cleveland, and you get the first two on the first day, it’s pretty good.”
Perez finished with six RBIs and tied Royals Hall of Famers George Brett and Frank White in multiple categories. Perez now sits alongside Brett for the most multi-homer games in club history (17) and White for most grand slams (6).
The Royals won both games of Monday’s twin bill, earlier defeating Cleveland 4-3. KC improved to 74-58 and sits one game behind the Guardians (75-57) for first place in the American League Central.
The teams traded punches early in the nightcap.
The Royals started poorly as two errors gifted the Guardians three runs in the first inning. Royals outfielder Dairon Blanco misplayed a fly ball in right field and Cleveland star Jose Ramirez was credited with an RBI double.
“I didn’t talk to him about it,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Blanco. “I’m guessing, you know, the way the back of the stadium is open a little bit; maybe the sun was coming in that spot. I really don’t know. But, yes, it was a bad read.”
Later, Royals starting pitcher Alec Marsh was charged with a throwing error on a pickoff attempt. KC was quickly in a 3-0 hole and headed to the second inning.
But the Royals kept chipping away at that margin. Third baseman Paul DeJong hit a solo homer to get the visitors on the board. In the fourth inning, Perez hit a sacrifice fly to drive home second baseman Maikel Garcia.
“Just do the small things in the game and try to score more runs than them,” Garcia said of the Royals’ rally. “We’ve faced those guys a lot of times and we know what they’ve got.”
Perez slugged his home runs in consecutive innings. And that outburst helped pick up Marsh on the mound.
Marsh pitched 4 2/3 innings in a spot-start. He allowed four runs (two earned) and struck out two.
“I’m super happy. Miss the boys,” Marsh said. “Felt good to just be back out there with this team. I mean, great result today winning both games. The spirits are high So, we’re just trying to enjoy that as much as possible.”
The Guardians chased Marsh from the game in the fifth inning. But Royals southpaw Sam Long ended a potential threat by retiring star first baseman Josh Naylor in relief.
Cleveland wouldn’t draw any closer. The Royals shut the door late as Daniel Lynch IV, who was called up on Monday, earned his first career save. The Royals won their sixth game (in eight tries) against the Guardians this season.
Missed previous games of the series?
Game 1: Royals climb up AL Central standings with 4-3 win over Guardians
Special trip: A Royals/Chiefs fan from South Korea soaked up all KC has to offer during visit
Here are more notable aspects from Game 2 of Monday’s doubleheader:
Paul DeJong continues solid play
The Royals made a shrewd move at the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline by acquiring Paul DeJong from the Chicago White Sox.
Ever since he made the short trek from dugout to dugout in the Windy City — the Royals were playing in Chicago at the time of the trade — DeJong has provided a major boost to the lineup.
He has 16 hits and 10 RBIs since July 31. And in Monday’s Game 2, DeJong added to his stat sheet.
He hit his 22nd home run and finished 2-for-4, looking good against Guardians left-handed pitcher Logan Allen. He belted an 82.7 mph cutter that traveled 408 feet into the left-center field seats.
“We didn’t play well in the first inning,” Quatraro said. “He comes out 2-0 count and hits a homer and then you are right back in the ballgame.”
The homer was the Royals’ first run of the night. Ahead of Monday’s games, DeJong was hitting .188 (18-for-96) against left-handed pitchers.
“His splits are reverse splits, as of right now,” Quatraro said. “But he has already gotten some big hits against lefties prior to today. So those are numbers that have happened in the past. It’s not indicative of what might happen right now.”
Allen allowed five earned runs in five innings against the Royals.
What’s next on the KC Royals’ schedule?
The Royals continue their four-game series against the Guardians on Tuesday. Right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen will get the start for KC at Progressive Field.
Lorenzen has a 1.99 ERA in four starts since joining the Royals. He has allowed five earned runs and struck out 16 batters in that span.
The Guardians will start right-hander Gavin Williams. He is 2-6 with a 5.13 ERA in 10 starts this season.
This story was originally published August 26, 2024 at 8:26 PM.
