Salvador Perez’s three-run homer highlighted a pivotal six-run fifth inning, propelling the Kansas City Royals to a 6-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals played before their second-largest crowd of the season, with 36,351 attendees, surpassed only by the 38,775 on opening day.
The Royals, sitting in third place in the AL Central behind Cleveland and Minnesota, improved to 57-47, marking them 10 games over .500 and exceeding last season’s win total. Manager Matt Quatraro dismissed the significance of surpassing last season’s wins, emphasizing the team’s focus on the current playoff race. Conversely, pitcher Brady Singer highlighted the milestone, praising the team’s efforts and resilience.
Brady Singer (7-6) delivered a stellar performance, allowing just two hits over seven innings, striking out five, and walking two. Alongside relievers Will Smith and Chris Stratton, the trio restricted the Cubs to only four hits. Singer credited his effective two-seamer for his success, citing its movement and strategic placement against hitters.
Kyle Hendricks (2-9) struggled, yielding six runs on eight hits over five innings. Despite the loss, Hendricks maintained that he executed his pitches well, except for the one to Perez, and expressed confidence in his overall performance.
A crucial moment came in the fifth inning for both pitchers. Singer hit Mike Tauchman to start the inning, and Dansby Swanson’s soft liner advanced Tauchman to third base, with Swanson reaching second on the throw. After a groundout by Miles Mastrobuoni and a flyout by Miguel Amaya, Kyle Isbel threw out Tauchman at the plate, preventing a Cubs score.
The Royals’ six-run fifth inning proved decisive, with Perez’s three-run homer igniting the offensive surge and sealing the win for Kansas City.