Salvador Perez Breaks Kauffman Stadium Home Run Record in Royals’ Dominant Win Salvador Perez etched his name into Kansas City Royals history with a solo home run in the sixth inning of a 14-6 series-opening victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, surpassing George Brett’s long-standing record for most home runs at Kauffman Stadium. The 36-year-old catcher’s 137th home run at the ballpark broke a tie with Brett, who held the record since 1985. The milestone came during a game that saw the Royals’ offense explode for 14 runs and 17 hits, marking season highs for both metrics. Perez’s game-changing blast traveled a Statcast-projected 385 feet to the left-field corner, a result of a sweeper pitch from Cardinals rookie reliever Max Rajcic, who was making his MLB debut. The home run not only secured the record but also ignited a celebration among the Kauffman Stadium crowd. During his next at-bat, Perez received a standing ovation from fans, prompting him to tip his helmet in gratitude before driving in a single for his third hit of the night. “I feel like Kauffman is my second home,” Perez said after the game. “I appreciate the fans. Thank you for your support my whole career. I’m not done yet. I got a lot more.” The Royals’ captain emphasized his commitment to the team, despite a challenging 2025 season that saw him hit .207 with a .592 OPS. His pursuit of history continues as he approaches the franchise’s all-time home run record, which currently sits at 317. Manager Matt Quatraro praised Perez’s impact, calling him “a legend” and noting that his milestones are a testament to his legacy. “Everything he does is another milestone,” Quatraro said. “The guy’s a legend.” The Royals’ dugout was well aware of Perez’s pursuit of Brett’s record, and the moment he cleared the fence, teammates erupted in joy.#kansas_city_royals #salvador_perez #matt_quatraro #kauffman_stadium #george_brett
Royals Secure 2-0 Victory Over White Sox in City Connect Uniform Debut The Kansas City Royals extended their winning streak with a decisive 2-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox on April 11, 2026, marking a strong start to their new City Connect uniform era. The win followed a thrilling 7-2 triumph the previous night, as the Royals’ pitching staff delivered a dominant performance. Kris Bubic led the charge with a seven-inning gem, while Matt Strahm and Lucas Erceg provided crucial relief, ensuring the team’s momentum carried into the second game of the series. The Royals’ focus on dismantling the White Sox was evident from the outset. Michael Wacha, the team’s ace, was expected to dominate, and his performance lived up to the hype. In his first two starts of the season, Wacha allowed just one earned run across 13 innings, posting a sparkling 0.69 ERA. Despite a .167 BABIP (batting average against) that suggested some luck, his underlying metrics aligned closely with his 2025 season, when he finished with nearly 4 WAR and a 3.86 ERA. Wacha’s history against the White Sox further bolstered confidence, as he had pitched 40 innings against them over the past two seasons with a 1.58 ERA and 40 strikeouts to 16 walks. His ability to exploit the White Sox lineup, particularly with his changeup, made him a formidable opponent. The White Sox countered with Erick Fedde, who had struggled in his first two starts of the year. Fedde’s issues extended beyond his mechanics, as he had yet to receive consistent run support. His performance against the Royals in 2024 highlighted his vulnerabilities, as he allowed just one run over 10.2 innings while striking out nine and walking five.#chicago_white_sox #kansas_city_royals #matt_quatraro #kris_bubic #michael_wacha
Royals Rookie’s Tardy Arrival Leads to Lineup Change in Series Finale The Kansas City Royals faced a setback in their opening series against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, as rookie catcher Carter Jensen was scratched from the starting lineup due to an oversleeping incident. The decision, made just before the first pitch of the game, forced veteran catcher Salvador Perez to return to the position less than 15 hours after he had played a nine-inning game the previous night. The game, which lasted 3 hours and 36 minutes, ended in a 5-1 loss for the Royals, dropping their season record to 3-3. Jensen, who is in his sixth game of his first full season with the Royals, was expected to bat fifth and serve as the starting catcher. However, manager Matt Quatraro revealed that the rookie had overslept and failed to arrive on time, prompting the team to remove him from the lineup. “Carter had an oversight,” Quatraro said after the game. “He overslept and wasn’t here on time, and we made the decision to scratch him from the lineup.” The absence of Jensen created a logistical challenge for the Royals. Perez, who had caught the entire game the night before, was pinch-run for by utility man Tyler Tolbert in the bottom of the eighth inning after reaching base on a fielder’s choice. This allowed Jensen to step in defensively for the ninth inning, though the decision to move Perez back to catcher was seen as a necessary adjustment given the team’s need for rest. Quatraro expressed disappointment over the situation but emphasized that it was an isolated incident. “He feels terrible,” the manager said, referring to Jensen. “And he’s accountable to it and it’s not something that has been a pattern or any of that kind of stuff. Nobody feels worse than he does, and I think he’ll admit to that.#kansas_city_royals #salvador_perez #carter_jensen #minnesota_twins #matt_quatraro
