Perez hits 5th HR of road trip, Royals drop Mariners 6-4

SEATTLE (AP) — Salvador Perez hit his fourth career grand slam and the Kansas City Royals beat the Seattle Mariners 6-4 on Thursday night.

Perez’s 35th home run fueled a five-run sixth inning during which the team batted around and helped the Royals snap the Mariners’ three-game winning streak.

It was the catcher’s fifth homer in seven games on Kansas City’s current road trip. The Royals have won five of those seven.

“What's so impressive is that it doesn't surprise you when he does it,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said.

Matheny said the grand slam might not even have been his most impressive play in a game filled with defensive gems for Kansas City. Perez finished off a play at home plate in the first inning that started with Kyle Seager's double. Michael A. Taylor tracked down the ball in the gap and threw it to Nicky Lopez. The shortstop fired the relay home to Perez, who dove and caught Haniger on the arm as he tried to score from first.

Taylor also made a great running catch over the shoulder in the fourth inning to hamper a rally, and Andrew Benintendi robbed Jarred Kelenic of a home run in the seventh when he pulled the ball back from the bullpen with a leaping grab.

Even after those plays, Matheny was still talking about that relay play in the first.

“It was just all the pieces,” Matheny said. “Those are game changers. That was just the beginning of a special defensive win.”

The Mariners took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on Jake Fraley’s bases-loaded walk, his fourth of the year. Kyle Seager made it 2-0 with a solo homer in the fifth, tying his career high with his 30th home run.

Starter Brad Keller grabbed the area behind his right elbow and called for a trainer after the homer. He left the game with what the team called posterior right shoulder discomfort...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Perez-hits-5th-HR-of-road-trip-Royals-drop-16415533.php