Salvador Perez hit a grand slam and drove in a career-high six runs as the Kansas City Royals completed a doubleheader sweep of the Cleveland Guardians, winning 9-4 on Monday night and closing within one game of first place in the AL Central.
The Royals had already won the first game 4-3, thanks to Bobby Witt Jr.’s 27th homer, which was his 11th since July 19 and broke a tie in the eighth inning.
After trailing by nine games in early July, the Royals have made up ground with a 22-13 record since the All-Star break, and they could tie for the division lead with a win on Tuesday.
“You couldn’t ask for any more,” said manager Matt Quatraro. “This doesn’t mean we’re done, but the guys played really hard today after a rough couple of days and put those losses behind them.”
In the second game, Perez, who played as the designated hitter after catching in the first game, hit a solo home run in the fifth inning, followed by his sixth career grand slam in the sixth off Tim Herrin.
Perez, a nine-time All-Star, now has 17 career multi-homer games, tying him with Hall of Famer George Brett for the most in Royals history.
“He’s remarkable,” Quatraro said. “He was drained after catching the first game, both physically and mentally, but he came through with great at-bats.”
The Guardians, who have been leading the Central since April 14, are now 0-8 in doubleheaders this season and 1-15 in the last two years. Manager Stephen Vogt remains positive despite the losses.
“They’re pros,” he said. “They know it was a tough day, but they always come back ready to win. This group won’t get discouraged. They understand our situation.”
In the sixth inning with the Royals leading 5-4, they loaded the bases. After a runner was forced out at home, Salvador Perez hit his 25th home run 457 feet into the bleachers. This grand slam tied him with Frank White for the most slams in Royals history.
José Ramírez of the Guardians hit three doubles, making it 109 games in which he has had two or more extra-base hits, tying him with Tris Speaker for second place in the club’s history behind Earl Averill (135). Ramírez also reached 30 homers, 30 doubles, and 30 steals in a season for the second time.
Perez’s home run in the fifth inning came off Logan Allen (8-5) after he caught a break. He had fouled off a 3-2 pitch that catcher Bo Naylor appeared to catch before it hit the ground.
However, umpire John Tumpane saw dirt on the ball in Naylor’s glove and gave Perez another chance. Perez then hit his 24th homer, putting Kansas City ahead 5-4.
In the sixth inning, Tumpane made a similar call, leading to Guardians pitching coach Carl Willis being ejected for arguing. Willis felt Perez missed the pitch and didn’t make contact.
In the first game, Bobby Witt Jr. hit a 0-1 pitch from rookie Hunter Gaddis (4-3) for a 413-foot home run into the left-field bleachers. Witt has a .417 batting average since the All-Star break, the fourth-highest average in the second half since World War II. Only Ted Williams, Ichiro Suzuki, and George Brett have had higher averages.
“It’s just another notable moment for Witt in 2024,” said manager Matt Quatraro. “He’s always focused on the present, not past or future performances. Bobby’s a special player.”
In Game 1, MJ Melendez hit a three-run homer and made a great catch in left field for the Royals.
