Salvador Perez smashes another one in KC Royals win

The KC Royals are playing for the end of the season and while the postseason isn’t within reach, a better record to end the year definitely is.

At this point in the season, the KC Royals are setting their focus towards what will happen once games end Sunday. What moves will come with the offseason, which positions need the most focus, and if there are any free agents that should receive some looks, are likely all too be topics of interest.

Still, this doesn’t mean the Royals are done playing just yet. A better record is still there, a chance for the Royals to show they have made progress, even if it was in a shortened season. There are also still plenty of chances to see the young guys get some playing time during what has been an audition year for many of them.

No, the Royals aren’t done just yet, and they proved that last night. In a back and forth struggle with Detroit, the Royals were able to come out on top in an 8-7 win.

The first inning started off hot, both Whit Merrifield and Adalberto Mondesi getting on base. Shortly after, Salvador Perez continued to do what he has done best this season. He drove in 3 with a 3 run home run. Perez now has 11 homers on the season and 32 RBIs.

The Tigers answered with a 2 run homer in the third, quickly followed by a sacrifice fly from Maikel Franco, scoring Mondesi and putting the score at 4-2. Still, the Royals weren’t entirely safe. Miguel Cabrera smashed a 2 run home run in the 6th, putting the score at 4-4.

Luckily, the Royals continued to battle. Franco added another run with a home run to left-center, Jorge Soler knocked Hunter Dozier in, and Monesi singled in Franchy Corder and Soler all in the 6th. With a lead of 8-4, the Royals looked to have the game wrapped up.

Unfortunately, the Tigers weren’t going down that easy. With 3 runs in the eighth and the score at 8-7 going into the ninth, Jake Newbery finally got the save and put an end to the seesaw game.

For the Royals, the offense was luckily able to keep up, unlike many games this season. The bullpen also did a decent job, with good scoreless innings coming from Scott Barlow, Jesse Hahn, and Jake Newberry. Josh Staumont was the only bullpen pitcher of the night who didn’t have his best stuff. Still, after 3 earned runs, his ERA is sitting at a very respectable 2.66.

Kris Bubic also didn’t get the start he wanted, giving up 4 runs on 2 home runs. The rookie pitcher still has some things to learn, but the progress he has already shown this season is promising for the future.

The Royals have 3 games left in the series with Detroit before the season is over. Be sure to keep up with the games as not only will the Royals head to the offseason soon, but Alex Gordon will likely try to make some noise in his last games as a Royal.

The Royals won the first game of their series against Detroit. Game 2 will be played tonight, September 25, at 7:05 p.m. CT.