CLEVELAND — — Salvador Perez hit a grand slam and drove in a career-high six runs as the Kansas City Royals completed a doubleheader sweep of Cleveland, beating the Guardians 9-4 on Monday night.
Perez, who served as DH after catching the opener in hot conditions, hit a solo homer in the fifth inning — after nearly striking out — and then connected for his sixth career slam in the sixth.
The nine-time All-Star catcher has 17 career multi-homer games, tying him with Hall of Famer George Brett for the most in Kansas City history.
Leading 5-4 in the sixth, the Royals loaded the bases and had a runner forced at the plate before Perez drove his 25th homer 457 feet into the bleachers. Perez’s shot tied him with Frank White for the most slams in Royals history.
LHP Will Smith (back spasms) was placed on the 15-day injured list, one day after he allowed five runs in one inning against Philadelphia. Quatraro said Smith’s back issue has “been lingering for a while.”
RHP Michael Lorenzen (7-6, 3.47) goes for Kansas City Tuesday at 5:40.