Battery plays major role in eighth straight series win

All-Star catcher Salvador Perez had to leave with a sore right knee. Then, Erik Kratz replaced him and socked two solo home runs. In the end, there was good news all around. Perez’s injury wasn’t considered serious and Kratz’s home runs provided the margin of victory in Kansas City’s suddenly tight 6-4 victory over the Twins on Monday night at Target Field.

Perez exits with sore right knee, plans to play tonight

Royals catcher Salvador Perez was removed from Monday night’s 6-4 victory against the Twins because of what the team described as “discomfort in his right knee.” But as he toweled off and prepared to board the Royals’ charter flight to Colorado for an Interleague series beginning Tuesday night, he declared that he would play against the Rockies.

Angels alone in first place after topping Red Sox

The Angels beat the Red Sox, 4-2, at Fenway Park on Monday night, winning for the fifth time in their last six games and moving a half-game ahead of the division-rival A’s for the best record in the Majors. It marked the first time since May 15, 2011, that the Angels have had sole possession of first place in the American League West.

Is ambidextrous Perez baseball’s future?

Ryan Perez, who is about to begin his junior year at tiny Judson University in Chicago’s northwest suburbs, turned a last-minute invitation to pitch in the Cape Cod League into a turn as MVP of the All-Star Game. He struck out the side in his one inning of relief. He threw left-handed for the first strikeout, right-handed for the second one and then left again for the third. Imagine that playing out on a big league diamond some time.