Salvador Perez is greeted a home plate after hitting his go-ahead homer. (photo/MLB)

Salvador Perez is greeted a home plate after hitting his go-ahead homer. (photo/MLB)

Royals All-Star starting catcher Salvador Perez hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the ninth inning as the Royals beat Tampa Bay 5-4 to take two of three from the Rays.  Perez had three RBIs, including a two-run single in the ninth, during Tuesday’s loss as well.  Perez came up big against reliever Kirby Yates on Wednesday night.

Jarrod Dyson led off the ninth with a single against Joel Peralta and stole second.  After Lorenzo Cain struck out, Dyson stole third.  Eric Hosmer drew a walk, putting runners on the corner.  Yates came on and gave up the homer which just cleared the left field wall.  It’s the 11th homer of the year for Perez who now had 35 RBIs.

The Royals jumped out to a 1-0 lead on an Eric Hosmer homer and with the bases loaded the Royals only scored one run in the fourth to take a 2-0.  Starter Yordano Ventura ran into trouble in the bottom half of the inning as he gave up a grand slam from Kevin Kiermaier, who went 4 for 4.

The second-place Royals return home Thursday night to begin a four-game series against AL Central-leading Detroit, which has a 4 1/2-game lead.