Salvador Pérez tied Johnny Bench’s record for most home runs by a catcher in a season at 45, which didn’t stop the Oakland Athletics from defeating the Kansas City Royals 7-2 on Thursday night.
Chad Pinder hit a two-run single to ignite an attack in the third inning for the Athletics to win.
Perez hit a two-run home run in the first inning, matching the record set by Bench in 1970 by a player who has played at least 75% of his games as a catcher.
Pérez has 45 homers on the season, and is tied with Vladimir Guerrero for the best home run of the season. He also leads the Major Leagues, with 112 RBIs.
“We are witnessing a special season,” manager Mike Matheny said. And he is a special player. It’s very rare for someone to be mentioned in the same conversation as one of the best. “
Pérez’s talent has not gone unnoticed by his rivals.
“It looks like Salvador can hit a daily home run against everyone,” Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. “You cannot rule against him currently.”
Pinder had a hit with two outs during a four-touchdown offense in the third inning. Oakland then put seven runners on the pads, with just a pair of hits.
The Athletics also scored three runs in the ninth inning, with just one hit. Oakland started the day three and a half games behind Toronto, Boston and the New York Yankees in the contest for the two wild-card spots in the American League playoffs.
Paul Blackburn (1-2) worked just over five innings for Oakland. He had two runs and six hits.
Daniel Lynch (4-5) took the loss. He left in the third inning with a stiff left calf problem. He allowed three runs (one earned) and two hits in just over two innings, during which he walked and hit two hits.
For the Athletics, the Dominican Starling Marte 4-1. Venezuelan Elvis Andrus 2-1 with two runs scored.
For the Royals, Venezuelans Pérez 4-2 with one scored and two RBIs, Edward Olivares 1-0, Sebastián Rivero 3-2. The Dominicans Adalberto Mondesí 4-2, Hanser Alberto 1-1, Carlos Santana 1-0. (AP)