(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
The KC Royals, employing some vintage franchise tactics like stealing bases, bunting, and advancing runners when they needed to, scratched their way to an exciting 7-6 victory over Houston Monday night.
Salvador Perez was Salvador Perez when he most needed to be. His clutch two-out single in the eighth inning, a direct result of the Astros’ mystifying choice to pitch to him with first base open, broke a 5-5 tie and gave his club the lead for good.
Whit Merrifield had three hits for the ninth time this season, Nicky Lopez stole three bases for the first time in his career, and the resurgent Ryan O’Hearn had two hits and drove in a pair of runs.