Royals vs Tigers: Salvador Perez Powers KC To 4-3 Win
By Joel Wagler
The Kansas City Royals (74-68), with the help of Salvador Perez, quickly put Friday night’s 16-2 debacle behind them by outscoring the Detroit Tigers (82-68) on Saturday by a score of 4-3. The Royals didn’t seem the worse for wear because of Friday’s thrashing while beating Justin Verlander.
Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
On the Mound
Danny Duffy‘s old nemesis reared it ugly head Saturday. Duffy, who has terrific stuff when he is around the strike zone, struggled mightily with his control. In just 4.1 innings, Duffy allowed just 2 hits but walked 5 hitters. Only two runs scored against Duffy, but both were caused by his lack of control. He only struck out one on the night.
The bullpen, worked rather hard over the past week, allowed 2 inherited runners to score. Greg Holland had no issues in his inning of perfect work. He struck out two, securing his 39th save of the season.
At the Plate
Salvador Perez was the hitting hero when he blasted a 2-run home run in the 6th inning to break up a 2-2 tie. When the Tigers scored in the next half inning, the Royals were glad to have that insurance run that Perez’s big hit provided.
Emilio Bonifacio was the only Royals to produce more than one hit. He had stolen 13 straight bases since joining the Royals last month. He was thrown out for the first time last night.
This and That
The Royals are still in sixth place in the American League wild card race, but they are only 3.5 games back now. While this is a terrific improvement for the Royals from the past 20 years or so, time is quickly running out. There are only 20 games left for Kansas City to leap over at least 4 teams in the standings. As a fan, it has been awesome to be in the playoff conversation, even if from the fringes, this late in the season.
KC Kingdom Player of the Game
Salvador Perez with a the big homer that broke open a tight game earns the Royal catcher his 9th POG.
Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
- James Shields – 12
- Alex Gordon – 15
- Wade Davis – 5
- Lorenzo Cain – 8
- Luis Mendoza – 3
- Billy Butler – 12
- Ervin Santana – 10
- Miguel Tejada – 5
- Jeremy Guthrie -6
- Eric Hosmer – 13
- Chris Getz – 3
- Mike Moustakas – 7
- Aaron Crow
- Jarrod Dyson – 3
- David Lough – 8
- Alcides Escobar – 5
- J.C. Gutierrez
- Jeff Francoeur
- Bruce Chen – 5
- Salvador Perez – 9
- Will Smith – 2
- George Kottaras
- Louis Coleman – 2
- Bruce Chen – 2
- Justin Maxwell – 2
- Greg Holland -2
- Danny Duffy – 2
- Luke Hochevar
The Tigers
In five starts against the Royals this season, Justin Verlander is 0-3 despite a 3.12 ERA and a 1.269 WHIP in 34.2 innings. Going into this season Verlander was 15-2 in 23 starts in his career against the Royals.
Miguel Cabrera hiked his OPS to 1.122 for the season with a hit and 2 walks.
Up Next
Bruce Chen (6-2, 2.81 ERA) will do his best to help the Royals win this big series with the Tigers and keep the Royals’ hopes for a postseason berth alive. Doug Fister (12-7, 3.66 ERA) will take mound for Detroit at 1:10. This game will not televised in the Kansas City area.
AL Central Notes
Cleveland Indians (76-65): The Indians moved within a game of the second wild card spot with a 9-4 win over the Mets. Nick Swisher went 2-4 with a home run, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI. Asdrubal Cabrera had a 3-run homer in the win.
Minnesota Twins (61-79): The Twins got knocked around pretty hard last night, losing 11-2 by the Blue Jays. Four Twins produced 2 hits each, but six hitters left three or more runners on base. They stranded 13 runners total as a team.
Chicago White Sox (56-85): Addison Reed blew a save by allowing 2 runs and 3 singles in the ninth, losing 4-3 to the Orioles. Dayan Viciedo hit his 12th homer of the season.