KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) \u2014 Salvador Perez hit a three-run homer in Kansas City’s seven-run first inning and the Royals beat the Toronto Blue Jays 20-1 on Friday night.<\/p>\n
The Royals sent 10 batters to the plate against Max Scherzer (5-4), who exited after recording just two outs and allowing seven hits in the shortest non-injury start of his career. It was Scherzer\u2019s shortest outing since facing just one batter while pitching for Washington on June 11, 2021, before leaving with an injury.<\/p>\n
Following a homer by George Springer in the top of the first inning, the Royals quickly tied it in the bottom of the inning on Carter Jensen\u2019s leadoff double and Bobby Witt Jr.\u2019s RBI single. Witt scored on Vinnie Pasquantino\u2019s double into the left field corner to give Kansas City the lead for good.<\/p>\n
After a walk to Maikel Garcia \u2013 and Toronto pitching coach Pete Walker\u2019s ejection \u2013 Perez connected for his 30th home run. Michael Massey\u2019s two-run homer gave Kansas City a 7-1 lead.<\/p>\n
Batting leadoff for the first time, Jensen hit three doubles \u2013 two against Scherzer in the first and a two-run double in the third. Jensen became the first Royals player with multiple doubles in the same inning.<\/p>\n
Jac Caglianone hit a three-run homer in the seventh as the Royals had 10 runs and 13 hits in 1 1\/3 innings against catcher Tyler Heineman. Infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa got the last two outs in the eighth inning.<\/p>\n
Pasquantino had four of Kansas City\u2019s franchise-record 27 hits, doubling twice as the Royals had with eight extra-base hits in the first three innings.<\/p>\n
Royals starter Michael Lorenzen (6-11) gave up a run and three hits with three walks while striking out four in 7 2\/3 innings for his first win since July 6.<\/p>\n
Key moment<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Perez\u2019s 30th home run matched Pasquantino for the club lead as the pair became the second Royals teammates to reach the mark, following Steve Balboni and George Brett in 1985.<\/p>\n
Key stat<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Springer, celebrating his 36th birthday, hit his 63rd leadoff home run \u2014 second-most in major league history \u2014 and reached 30 homers for the first time since 2019.<\/p>\n
Up next<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
Blue Jays RHP Shane Bieber (3-1, 3.72 ERA) goes against Royals LHP Noah Cameron (8-7, 2.98) on Saturday.<\/p>\n
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