KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Salvador Pérez homered and doubled to cap off an impressive series, leading Brad Keller and the Kansas City Royals over the Los Angeles Angels 6-1 on Wednesday.
A day after picking off David Fletcher at third base to end a 3-2 win, Pérez drove in two runs. The All-Star catcher went 8 for 12 with four RBIs this week against Los Angeles.
Carlos Santana also homered as the Royals took two of three from the Angels. It was the Royals' second series win of the year — it took them 14 tries to do that during the pandemic-shortened season.
Keller (1-1) went 5 2/3 innings and gave up one run and four hits, striking out five and walking one. That was a major step forward after he allowed 10 earned runs in 4 2/3 innings in his first two starts.
The Royals bullpen of Jake Brentz, Josh Staumont and Tyler Zuber pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings, giving up two hits.
Griffin Canning (0-1) went five innings and permitted two runs and six hits.
Pérez hit his third homer of the season, a solo drive in the third. Pérez doubled home Whit Merrifield in the seventh.
Jared Walsh doubled home Mike Trout in the fifth, pulling the Angels within 2-1.
Angels: OF Justin Upton was scratched on Tuesday night and remained out of the lineup on Wednesday with back stiffness.
Royals: Reinstated RHP Josh Staumont off the injured list and optioned RHP Carlos Hernandez. OF Nick Heath was designated for assignment.
Angels: Return home to take on Minnesota on Friday with Andrew Heaney on the mound (1-1, 7.00).
Royals: Continue their homestand with a four-game set that starts on Thursday with Jakob Junis (0-0, 0.00) starting against Toronto.