Salvador Perez Powers Royals Win over Rangers

Sep 1, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) connects for an RBI in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Salvador Perez slammed 3 RBI’s by hitting a double and a 2-run home run to power the Kansas City Royals 4-3 victory over the Texas Rangers. The win snapped a 3-game losing streak for Kansas City.

The win puts Kansas City 14 games over .500 at 75-61. The victory keeps the Royals (for now) a 1/2 game ahead of the Tigers, who smashed the Indians 12-1 in Cleveland. The Royals, of course, still have that makeup game against the Indians to complete where they trail 4-2 in the 10th.

On the Mound

Yordano Ventura went 6.1 innings, allowing 5 hits, 4 walks, and 3 earned runs with 7 strikeouts. He held the Rangers scoreless through 5 innings, before allowing 1 run in the 6th and 2 in the 7th. He left the game leading 4-3. Ventura recorded his 11th win of the season (11-9, 3.38 ERA).

Kelvin Herrera recorded the final 2 outs in the 7th without allowing further damage.

Wade Davis pitched a clean 8th inning, with the help of nice defensive plays by Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas. Gordon speared a deep drive to left that looked destined for extra bases for the 1st out, while Moustakas made a diving stop and putout at 1st base on a hard ground by Adrian Beltre to end the inning.

Greg Holland earned his 41st save by pitching a clean 9th with 2 strikeouts to beat threatening rain.

At the Plate

Salvador Perez drove in KC’s first run with a double to center that drove in Alex Gordon, then he added a 2-run shot in the 3rd inning (16). Perez went 3 for 4 with a single, double, and home run (16), while scoring 1 run and collecting 3 RBI’s.

Carlos Peguero doubled in the 5th and scored on a single by Mike Moustakas to plate KC’s 4th run in the 5th.

Overall, the Royals piled up 10 hits and 2 walks.

This and That

Alcides Escobar started all 3 of the double plays turned by Kansas City’s defense.

Eric Hosmer returned from a stress fracture in his hand to start at 1st base. Along with Hosmer, the Royals called up minor league prospects OF Lane Adams, 2B Johnny Giavotella, RP Brandon Finnegan, who was the Royals 1st round pick in June, C Francisco Pena, and RP Casey Coleman.

Former Mariners prospect Carlos Peguero doubled in the 5th inning for his first hit in a Royals uniform. He went 1 for 3 with a double and 1 run scored before Lorenzo Cain replaced him in RF as a defensive substitution in the 7th.

Wade Davis has pitched 27.2 straight innings without allowing a run.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Salvador Perez gets the nod for driving in 3 of the Royals 4 runs, with a nod to Alcides Escobar for triggering 3 double plays.