(AP) — Salvador Perez had four hits and drove in a pair of runs and Kris Bubic struck out a season-high eight to help the Kansas City Royals beat the AL Central champion Cleveland Guardians 7-1.
Perez collected three singles and a solo homer in four plate appearances, spoiling the return of Cleveland right-hander Zach Plesac following a one-month stay on the injured list with a broken pitching hand. Bubic tossed five scoreless innings, allowing five hits.
Perez’s home run gave him 1,274 career hits, moving into eighth place in Royals history. He was removed from the game following the at-bat because of discomfort in his surgically repaired left thumb.
The Royals take on Cleveland again Sunday afternoon with first pitch at 12:40 central. Coverage begins at 12:00 on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3) in St. Joseph.