Lugo gets MLB-high 11th win and Perez powers Royals to 6-2 victory over Guardians
Kansas City Royals pitcher Seth Lugo delivers to a Cleveland Guardians batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, June 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Seth Lugo struck out 10 in six shutout innings to earn his major league-high 11th win, and Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer as the Kansas City Royals beat the Cleveland Guardians 6-2 on Sunday.
Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. celebrates in the dugout after scoring from third off a Hunter Renfroe single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, June 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Bobby Witt Jr. had a run-scoring triple among his three hits for the Royals, who took three of four from the AL Central leaders. Vinnie Pasquantino also had three hits and an RBI.
Kansas City Royals' Hunter Renfroe follows through on an RBI single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, June 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Lugo (11-2) allowed four hits and one walk in his third straight start with eight or more strikeouts. It was his third double-digit strikeout game of the season.
“I thought it went pretty well,” Lugo said. “I was able to keep them off balance. ... Was able to stay focused and make the right pitches."
Perez had an RBI groundout in the first inning and added a two-run shot to left field that made it 6-0 in the seventh. He leads the Royals with 14 home runs.
“We need to do that kind of offense regularly against every type of team,” Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said. “To get the early lead was nice and the two in the middle innings was nice, but the Perez home run was huge to expand the lead there."
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Logan Allen delivers to a Kansas City Royals batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, June 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Logan Allen (8-4) lasted 4 1/3 innings for the Guardians, giving up three runs and six hits with three strikeouts.
“I thought Allen battled today,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “Early in the game he was getting in tough counts, but he made pitches when he needed to and gave us a chance.”
Witt had his ninth three-hit game of the season. This one came after he went 0 for 4 on Saturday, which snapped a 23-game home hitting streak.
Cleveland Guardians' Steven Kwan, left, is out at second base as Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., right, is late with a throw for a double play on a Daniel Schneemann single during the third inning of a baseball game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, June 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Garrett Hampson doubled home an early run for the Royals. Pasquantino finished the series with six RBIs.
Jose Ramírez put Cleveland on the board with a two-out RBI double in the eighth. That tied him with Hall of Fame slugger Jim Thome for third in franchise history with 620 extra-base hits. Josh Naylor followed with an RBI single.
Bo Naylor had three hits for the Guardians, who finished 14-11 in June.
Kansas City went 12-15 in June, its first losing month this season. But it was the most wins in June for the club since racking up 17 in 2017.
Kansas City Royals' Dairon Blanco, right, steals third base as Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Tena, left, attempts to make a tag without the ball during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, June 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
ROSTER MOVES
Cleveland activated RHP Gavin Williams from the 60-day injured list and optioned struggling RHP Triston McKenzie to Triple-A Columbus. RHP Darren McCaughan was designated for assignment.
“It was a tough day for all of us,” Vogt said. “We love Triston. We need him here; we want him to be here. He is ready to go down, put his head down and work.”
Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Tena, left, is unable to catch a throw as Kansas City Royals' Dairon Blanco, right, steals third during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, June 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
UP NEXT
Guardians: Carlos Carrasco (3-6, 5.27 ERA) pitches Tuesday at home against the Chicago White Sox.
Royals: Continue a 10-game homestand Tuesday against Tampa Bay. Kansas City had not announced a scheduled starter.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Cody Friesen, The Associated Press