KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Salvador Perez blasted two home runs, including a go-ahead shot in the eighth inning, and rookie Jac Caglianone launched the longest measured home run by a Royals rookie, powering Kansas City to a 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night. The win completed a dominant three-game sweep for the surging Royals.
Perez broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the eighth, sending the first pitch from Isaac Mattson (2-1) to the walkway just shy of the fountains in right-center field. The veteran catcher also opened the scoring in the second inning with a prodigious 444-foot drive to center. It was Perez’s second multi-homer game of the season and the 19th of his career, further extending his franchise record.
However, the most eye-popping blast of the night belonged to Jac Caglianone. In the fourth inning, the rookie unleashed a towering 466-foot, two-run homer to center field off Pirates starter Bailey Falter. The monumental shot marked the longest home run by a Royals rookie since Statcast began tracking in 2015, and the fourth-longest by any Kansas City player at Kauffman Stadium.
The Royals’ offense continued its recent power surge, hitting nine home runs in the series against Pittsburgh. After not recording a multi-homer game all season before Monday, Kansas City has now accomplished the feat in three consecutive contests. The Royals have won six of their last seven games overall, showcasing a renewed offensive prowess.
Pittsburgh’s struggles continued, as they fell to 0-6 on their nine-game road trip ahead of the All-Star break. The Pirates were shut out in three straight games against Seattle before arriving in Kansas City. Their only offense on Wednesday came in the sixth inning, when Ke’Bryan Hayes delivered a two-run single as part of a three-run frame that briefly tied the game at 3-3.
Lucas Erceg (4-2) earned the win for the Royals with a scoreless eighth inning, and Carlos Estevez locked down his 25th save of the season with a clean ninth.
This series sweep marks the first time the Royals have swept a home series since a four-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox in early May.
The Royals will look to continue their winning ways when they host the New York Mets for a three-game series starting Friday. Pregame coverage will begin at 6:30 PM CDT on Superstar Country 102.5 FM KQNK, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 PM CDT at Kauffman Stadium.
