Salvador Perez’s Ninth Inning 3-Run shot Rescues Royals

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Salvador Perez hit a dramatic 3-run moon shot over the left field wall that stayed just fair to give the Royals a 5-4 lead  over the Tampa Bay Rays in the 9th inning. The blow stood up, giving Kansas City a come-from-behind victory Wednesday night at Tropicana Field.

Perez’s home run stunned the sparse crowd at the Trop, who had enjoyed a 4-2 lead since no. 9 hitter Keven Kiermaier hit a grand slam off Yordana Ventura in the 4th inning with the Rays trailing the Royals 2-0.

The sudden reversal helped the Royals go 47-43 on the season, and remain 4.5 games behind Detroit in the American League Central.

On the Mound

Yordano Ventura looked ready to cruise to another strong outing in the early going, until loading the bases and giving up the big fly to Kiermaier in the 4th inning. Ventura only went 5.0 innings, while allowing 5 hits, 4 walks, 4 earned runs with 5 strikeouts.

Kelvin Herrera entered in the 6th inning and recorded two outs with 1 walk in .2 innings pitched.

Scott Downs got the final out of the 6th, and pitched a clean 7th. Downs has rreally solidified the pen since his acquisition on July 6th. Downs has pitched 3.1 innings without allowing either an earned run or an inhereted base-runner to score.

Aaron Crow pitched a scoreless 8th, despite loading the bases by allowing a hit and 2 walks. He earned the win by being the pitcher of record when Perez hit his home run.

Greg Holland pitched a clean 9th with 2 strikeouts to earn his 24th save.

At the Plate

After looking like they were going to have another frustrating night with 11 hits, 4 walks and only 2 earned runs, Salvador Perez rescued the offense from another dull performance with his game-saving 3-run home run (11).

Salvador Perez went 2 for 5, with a double, home run, 2 runs scored, and 3 RBI’s.

Eric Hosmer also had a good game, going 1-2 with his 5th home run of the season in the game’s 3rd at bat (solo shot). Hosmer also drew 3 walks, scored 1 run and drove in 1 RBI on the day.

Omar Infante also reached base safely 4 times, going 3-4 with 3 singles, and 1 walk.

This and That

Wnen Salvador Perez stepped to the plate in the 9th inning, the Royals had gone 1-10 with runners in scoring position on the day. His home changed that number to a mere 2-11, but with 3 big RBI’s.

Three Royals came up lame Wednesday morning. Alex Gordon reinjured his wrist sliding into second base on a double Tuesday. On Wednesday, he flew back to Kansas City for an MRI. Raul Ibanez started in his place in left. Mike Moustakas got scratched due to flu-like symptoms, allowing Danny Valencia to make a rare start vs. a right handed pitcher (Alex Cobb). Finally, Jason Vargas required an emergency appendectomy Wednesday morning at a local Tampa hospital. Vargas is expected to miss 3 weeks.

Perez’s one blow turned around what had been a snakebit day for the Royals.

James Shields had some fun Wednesday before the game, when a Rays fan introduced the pitcher to a show champion English Labrador named “Big Game James Shields”.

Despite last night’s 1-run win, the Royals are still a sub-par 10-17 in 1 run games this season.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Salvador Perez is the obvious winner with his game–saving 9th inning home run. The Royals haven’t had enough hits like that that this season.

More from Kansas City Royals

• This Plus-Money Bobby Witt Jr. Prop Bet is on Fire (Hit in 15/21 Games)!
• The Royals Need to Extend Bobby Witt Jr. Immediately
• DraftKings + FanDuel Kansas Promos: INSTANT $150 Bonus Plus Two Chances to Win!
• 3 Royals Players Who Won’t Be on the Roster Next Year
• LAST CHANCE to Claim $250 GUARANTEED Bonus With FanDuel and DraftKings Kansas Promos!

• Billy Butler – 2
• Danny Valencia
• Christian Colon
• Raul Ibanez
• Jarrod Dyson – 2
• Lorenzo Cain – 6
• Johnny Giavotella
• Wade Davis
• Norichika Aoki
• Salvador Perez – 6
• Jeremy Guthrie  – 5
• Jason Vargas – 6
• Alex Gordon – 9
• Bruce Chen
• James Shields – 7
• Yordano Ventura – 4
• Mike Moustakas
• Danny Duffy – 6
• Omar Infante – 3
• Mike Moustakas – 5
• Alcides Escobar – 5
• Eric Hosmer – 9
• Michael Mariot

The Rays

RF Kevin Kiermaier had a great day at the plate for the Rays, going 4-4 with 3 singles, a grand slam home run (8), 1 run scored, and 4 RBI’s. Kiermaier more than made up for his fielding misadventures in Monday’s series opener.

Up Next

The Royals return home on Thursday to open what shapes up to be a showdown four-game series with the Tigers just before the All-Star break. Kansas City will send Jeremy Guthrie (5-7, 4.10 ERA) to the mound against Drew Smyly (4-8, 3.89 ERA) for Detroit. Game time is 7:10 CST at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

Box

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table.

HR: E Hosmer (5, off A Cobb, 1st inn, 0 on, 2 outs to Deep RF); S Perez (11, off K Yates, 9th inn, 2 on, 1 out to Deep LF Line).
TB: S Perez 5; E Hosmer 4; O Infante 3; B Butler 2; L Cain 2; J Dyson.
RBI: S Perez 3 (35); E Hosmer (39); R Ibanez (23).
2-out RBI: E Hosmer.
Team LOB: 11.
With RISP: 2 for 11.
Baserunning
SB: L Cain (12, 2nd base off A Cobb/J Molina); J Dyson 2 (16, 2nd base off J Peralta/J Molina, 3rd base off J Peralta/J Molina).

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table.

HR: K Kiermaier (8, off Y Ventura, 4th inn, 3 on, 2 outs to Deep RF).
HBP: S Rodriguez (4, by Y Ventura).
TB: K Kiermaier 7; B Guyer; J Molina; E Longoria; M Joyce.
RBI: K Kiermaier 4 (21).
2-out RBI: K Kiermaier 4.
Team LOB: 11.
With RISP: 1 for 9.
Fielding
E: B Zobrist (8).
Baserunning
Pickoffs: K Kiermaier (1st base by S Perez).

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table.

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table.

Balks: None.
WP: None.
HBP: Y Ventura (2; S Rodriguez).
IBB: None.
Pickoffs: None.