UPDATE 9:20 p.m. Monday: Story has been updated with information about the Royals win in Game 2.
CLEVELAND (AP) — Salvador Perez hit his 46th home run, breaking Johnny Bench’s record for most by a catcher in a season to highlight the opener, then the Kansas City Royals completed a doubleheader sweep by beating the Cleveland Indians 4-2.
Perez hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning of a 7-2 win, topping Bench’s total from 1970 for the highest total by a player who spent at least 75% of his team’s games at catcher. Perez also moved into a tie for the major league lead in homers with Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Perez leads the majors with 115 RBIs.
In the second game, Perez struck out against Anthony Gose, a former outfielder who returned to the majors after a five-year absence as a hard-throwing reliever.
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CLEVELAND (AP) — Salvador Perez hit his 46th home run, breaking Johnny Bench's record for homers by a catcher in a season, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Cleveland Indians in the first game of a doubleheader.
Perez hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning, topping Bench's total from 1970 for the most by a player who played at least 75% of his team's games at catcher.
Perez drove a 1-2 pitch from Triston McKenzie into the left field bleachers, a drive that traveled 429 feet. Perez pointed to the sky after crossing home plate and was hugged by several teammates as he entered the dugout.
Perez also moved into a tie for the major league lead in homers with Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Perez leads the majors with 115 RBIs.