Perez hits 3-run HR in 7-run 1st inning as Royals rough up Scherzer in 20-1 win over Blue Jays

KANSAS CITY Mo AP Salvador Perez hit a three-run homer in Kansas City s seven-run first inning and the Royals beat the Toronto Blue Jays - on Friday night The Royals sent batters to the plate against Max Scherzer - who exited after recording just two outs and allowing seven hits in the shortest non-injury start of his career It was Scherzer s shortest outing since facing just one batter while pitching for Washington on June before leaving with an injury Following a homer by George Springer in the top of the first inning the Royals hurriedly tied it in the bottom of the inning on Carter Jensen s leadoff double and Bobby Witt Jr s RBI single Witt scored on Vinnie Pasquantino s double into the left field corner to give Kansas City the lead for good After a walk to Maikel Garcia and Toronto pitching coach Pete Walker s ejection Perez connected for his th home run Michael Massey s two-run homer gave Kansas City a - lead Batting leadoff for the first time Jensen hit three doubles two against Scherzer in the first and a two-run double in the third Jensen became the first Royals contestant with multiple doubles in the same inning Jac Caglianone hit a three-run homer in the seventh as the Royals had runs and hits in innings against catcher Tyler Heineman Infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa got the last two outs in the eighth inning Pasquantino had four of Kansas City s franchise-record hits doubling twice as the Royals had with eight extra-base hits in the first three innings Royals starter Michael Lorenzen - gave up a run and three hits with three walks while striking out four in innings for his first win since July Key moment Perez s th 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 Key stat Springer celebrating his th birthday hit his rd leadoff home run second-most in major league history and reached homers for the first time since Up next Blue Jays RHP Shane Bieber - ERA goes against Royals LHP Noah Cameron - on Saturday AP MLB https www apnews com hub MLB Source