Salvador Perez showcased his power at the plate, leading the Kansas City Royals to a doubleheader sweep over the Cleveland Guardians. In the first game, Bobby Witt Jr.'s late homer secured a 4-3 victory for the Royals. Witt's impressive performance continued as he hit his 27th home run of the season.
In the second game, Perez stole the show with a two-run homer in the fifth inning and a grand slam in the sixth, totaling a career-high six RBIs for the game. Perez's grand slam tied him with George Brett for the most in Royals history, highlighting his impact on the team.
The Royals have been on a hot streak since the All-Star break, posting a 22-13 record and closing in on the AL Central division lead. On the other hand, the Guardians struggled in doubleheaders, dropping to 0-8 for the season.
Cleveland's José Ramírez had a notable game with three doubles, showcasing his consistency as a key player for the team. Ramírez's performance tied him with Tris Speaker for second in club history for games with two or more extra-base hits.
Perez's fifth-inning homer came after a fortunate break when the umpire noticed dirt on the ball, giving him a second chance to deliver a crucial hit. The Guardians' pitching coach was ejected in the sixth inning for arguing a similar call, adding to the intensity of the game.
In the first game, Witt's home run off Hunter Gaddis proved to be the difference-maker, as the Royals secured a narrow victory. Witt's exceptional batting average since the break has solidified his status as a standout player in the league.
The Royals made a roster move, placing LHP Will Smith on the injured list due to back spasms, while the Guardians received positive news on RHP Alex Cobb's recovery from a broken fingernail.
Looking ahead, the Guardians will send RHP Gavin Williams to the mound to face Royals RHP Michael Lorenzen in the next game, setting the stage for another exciting matchup between the two teams.
