Seth Lugo had a strong performance, winning his fifth game out of seven starts. Michael Massey’s three-run homer also helped the Kansas City Royals secure a 6-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Bobby Witt Jr. contributed with two hits, scoring once and driving in a run. It was the Royals’ fifth win in seven games against Toronto.
Witt Jr. made a defensive play, sliding to stop the ball and throwing from one knee to retire Bo Bichette in the sixth inning.
Manager Matt Quatraro praised Witt’s play, highlighting the accuracy of his throw to get a talented runner out. Lugo was impressed by Witt’s defensive skills, expressing his admiration for the play.
Salvador Perez continued his impressive form with an RBI single, extending his streak of reaching base safely to 21 games. He leads the American League with a .355 batting average and 27 RBIs.
Kyle Isbel, the Royals’ center fielder, commended Perez’s performance, describing it as incredible and noting his consistency in making solid hits.
Perez’s streak of reaching base safely is the second-longest in the majors right now, only behind Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers, who has a 23-game streak. Quatraro highlighted Perez’s importance to the team, acknowledging that his contributions have been crucial.
Massey hit a home run against pitcher Nate Pearson in the eighth inning, marking his second homer in two games. He ended the game with four RBIs.
Lugo, with a record of 5-1, only allowed one hit until the seventh inning when Toronto’s Danny Jansen hit a home run. Despite this, Lugo performed well, walking two and striking out eight batters. His ERA is now 1.60.
Quatraro praised Lugo’s consistency in delivering strong performances on the mound. Chris Stratton pitched the eighth inning, and Nick Anderson closed the game.
Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt didn’t allow a hit for the first five innings, but his performance declined after Kyle Isbel’s double at the start of the sixth inning.
Massey acknowledged Isbel’s crucial hit, which helped break Bassitt’s momentum, describing him as having a “nasty” performance.
Vinnie Pasquantino hit a double, moving Witt to third base, and Perez scored another run with a hit through the infield, making it 2-0. Massey’s groundout brought another run home.
Bassitt faced his third consecutive loss, giving up three runs and four hits over six innings. He walked one batter and struck out four. The Royals confirmed through a replay review that Perez was hit by a pitch with two outs in the fourth inning. Massey struck out to end the inning.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider was unhappy that the umpires didn’t rule that Perez had swung at the pitch.
“I think it was clear that the ball hit him, and it was even more obvious that he took a full swing,” Schneider said. “So, according to the rules, he’s out. I thought it was a bad call.”
Perez started the game as a catcher for Kansas City. He was removed from the starting lineup on Monday but came in as a pinch hitter. Perez played first base on Tuesday.
