Craig Kimbrel joined Billy Wagner in seventh place on the all-time saves list with his 422nd save, while Anthony Santander hit three doubles in a game for the first time in his MLB career.
The Baltimore Orioles capitalized on a seven-run second inning to secure a 9-7 win over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night.
Salvador Perez had a standout performance for the Royals, matching his career-high with five RBIs. Despite trailing 7-0, the Royals attempted a comeback, but Perez’s game-ending flyout to Colton Cowser fell short, allowing the Orioles to even the series in a hard-fought contest.
Kimbrel sealed the victory with a flawless ninth inning, notching his fifth save in six opportunities this season. He now sits just two saves behind John Franco and three behind Kenley Jansen on the all-time saves leaderboard.
Initially, the Orioles didn’t retain the ball from the final out, but it was later retrieved from one of the fountains in right field, recognizing the significance of Kimbrel’s achievement.
Santander showcased his defensive prowess as well, making a crucial diving catch in the ninth inning to thwart the Royals’ comeback efforts.
Corbin Burnes delivered a strong performance on the mound for the Orioles, holding the Royals scoreless until Perez’s three-run homer in the sixth inning. Despite the setback, Burnes pitched effectively, allowing only four hits over 5 2/3 innings.
Perez’s offensive contributions were pivotal for the Royals, as he also drove in two runs with a single in the seventh inning. However, the Royals fell short as Cole Ragans struggled, lasting just 1 2/3 innings in the shortest start for Kansas City this season.
