Perez grand slam in 8th rallies Royals over Red Sox 6-4 (Jun 21, 2017)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Salvador Perez hit his first career grand slam, connecting in the eighth inning to rally the Kansas City Royals over the Boston Red Sox 6-4 Wednesday.
The Royals have won nine of 11 and moved within a game of .500.
Perez homered over the Kansas City bullpen in left field on the ninth pitch from Robby Scott (0-1). With Boston leading 4-2, reliever Matt Barnes started the inning by walking Jorge Bonifacio and Lorenzo Cain on 12 pitches.
Scott was summoned to face Eric Hosmer, but walked him on four pitches to load the bases for Perez. The All-Star catcher fouled off three full-count deliveries before hitting his 15th home run of the season.
According to ESPN Stats and Information, Perez was the first Kansas City player to hit a grand slam in the eighth inning or later with the Royals trailing since Frank White in 1986. Perez went 3 for 3 in the win.
Jorge Soria (3-2) worked a spotless eighth. Kelvin Herrera pitched the ninth for his 17th save in 19 chances.
Andrew Benintendi and Xander Bogaerts hit successive home runs in the Boston fourth off Ian Kennedy.
Benintendi's drive was estimated at 454 feet and landed in the right-center water fall. The leadoff homer was Boston's first hit, and the 100th hit of Benintendi's career.
Five Kennedy pitches later, Bogaerts went deep to left, tying the score at 2. It was the fourth time this season the Red Sox have hit back-to-back home runs
Red Sox lefty Drew Pomeranz worked 6 1/3 innings, allowing two runs and six hits.
Kennedy was removed after 4 2/3 innings, giving up four runs, two earned, on three hits and three walks. He has just one victory in his past 17 starts.
Errors by Kennedy and first baseman Cheslor Cuthbert helped Boston score twice in the fifth.
ORTIZ'S CEREMONY
The Red Sox will retire David Ortiz's No. 34 in a pregame ceremony Friday at Fenway Park. ''When you consider the careers that are on that fa�ade, the numbers that are up there and the fact that his being done so soon after retiring, I think speaks volumes,'' Red Sox manager John Farrell said. ''What he's meant to the city, what he's meant to the organization. To see him at the ballpark, see the smile, to hear the booming voice, it will be a good day for us.''
TRAINER'S ROOM
Red Sox: 2B Dustin Pedroia missed his third straight game with rib soreness after being hit by a pitch Sunday. ''When he went down to swing in the cage, there's still some restriction,'' Farrell said. ''Hopefully he'll be back in the lineup Friday.'' . LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (right knee subluxation) will throw a 30-pitch two inning simulated game Saturday.
Royals: RHP Nathan Karns (forearm strain) threw off a flat surface, his first time tossing since having a setback 11 days ago. . LHP Danny Duffy (oblique strain) will throw a bullpen session Friday and could begin a minor league rehab stint next week.
UP NEXT
Red Sox: After an off-day Thursday, RHP Rick Porcello will start Friday against the Angels.
Royals: RHP Jakob Junis will start Friday against the Blue Jays.
