Royals Defeat Phillies with Two Homers
- Salvador Perez and Hunter Renfroe hit two-run homers in the game.
- The Kansas City Royals secured a 7-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.
- The win came during the opener of an interleague series between the two playoff contenders.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals secured a 7-4 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first game of their interleague series on Friday night, showcasing a powerful offensive display in the third inning. Salvador Perez and Hunter Renfroe each contributed two-run homers during a five-run rally, with Perez building on his recent success in a Wiffle ball game to deliver a three-RBI performance. Starting pitcher Michael Wacha continued his impressive form, extending his winning streak to seven games. He allowed two runs on six hits over six innings while striking out five batters. In the ninth inning, Lucas Erceg managed to navigate a leadoff double to earn his 10th save, marking his fourth since joining the Royals. On the other side, the Phillies struggled with Taijuan Walker on the mound, who allowed six runs on eight hits and a walk in just three innings. Despite the setback, Philadelphia's offense saw contributions from Nick Castellanos, Bryson Stott, and Brandon Marsh, who each drove in runs during the game. In roster news, the Phillies welcomed back outfielder Austin Hayes from the injured list, while Cal Stevenson was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Additionally, left-handed pitcher Ranger Suárez is expected to return to the lineup on Saturday after recovering from lower back soreness. The Royals' victory adds pressure to the Phillies as they face a challenging schedule ahead against division leaders.