Salvador Perez says his approach doesn’t change when he’s facing Justin Verlander, but the Royals catcher certainly has the ace’s number. Perez finished with three hits, including a home run and three RBIs as the Royals jumped on Detroit early for a 5-1 win. The victory increases their lead over Minnesota to 9.5 games in the Central after the Twins lost to Toronto.
“I don’t know any secret,” Perez said.
Perez is now hitting .474 (18-for-38) in his career against Verlander.
Perez drove in the Royals first three runs, then went up 4-0 when Omar Infante doubled to lead off the fifth, took third on Alcides Escobar’s sacrifice fly and scored on Ben Zobrist’s sacrifice fly to deep right. That was more than enough for Royals starter Danny Duffy.
Manager Ned Yost said Duffy’s slider was the best he’s seen all season and through the first five innings was hitting on all three of his pitches. Detroit loaded the bases in the fifth with one out, but Duffy got a force out at the plate and a pop up to get out of the jam
Duffy allowed one run on five hits and four walks in seven innings, only striking out two.