Salvador Perez and Kyle Isbel both hit home runs and drove in two runs each, while Alec Marsh struck out 11 batters in 5 1/3 innings. The Kansas City Royals ended the Pittsburgh Pirates’ four-game winning streak with an 8-3 win on Friday night.
Perez hit a two-run homer to the bullpens in left-center, capping a six-run second inning that broke a scoreless tie. Isbel added a solo home run in the fourth inning to extend the lead to 7-0. Adam Frazier also contributed with a solo homer in the eighth.
“We just got the momentum rolling early and it was fun to watch,” Isbel said.
Perez, a nine-time All-Star catcher, now has 27 home runs and 103 RBIs this season.
“He’s incredible,” said Royals manager Matt Quatraro. “That’s why he’s in the discussion to be a Hall of Famer. You don’t see players perform like he does at that position year after year.
He’s clearly a leader in the community and on this team with the way he goes about his business.”
Marsh (8-8) gave up only one run and matched his career high with 11 strikeouts. This was his first win since July 10.
With Minnesota losing on Friday, the Royals moved 2 1/2 games ahead of the Twins for the second American League wild card spot. They also moved within three games of the Guardians in the AL Central due to Cleveland’s loss.
“It’s amazing,” Marsh said about pitching in a pennant race. “There is no other team I’d rather do it with. This team is amazing. Everyone comes here and treats it just like another game. No one is putting any pressure on anyone. We know it’s September and these games mean a little more than earlier in the season, but we’re just having fun.”
