Perez, Caglianone Power Royals to 4-3 Win, Sweep of Pirates

Wednesday, July 9th, 2025

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Salvador Perez homered twice, Jac Caglianone hit the longest measured homer by a Royals rookie, and Kansas City beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 on Wednesday night to complete a three-game sweep.

Perez broke a 3-3 tie in the eighth inning with his longball off Isaac Mattson (2-1). He opened the scoring with a 444-foot shot to center in the second.

But the most impressive homer of the game belonged to Caglianone — a 466-foot, two-run drive to center in the fourth against Bailey Falter. It was the longest homer by a Royals rookie since Statcast started tracking in 2015 and the fourth-longest by any Kansas City player at Kauffman Stadium.

The Royals have won six of seven overall. They did not have a multi-homer game this season before doing it Monday night against Pittsburgh, and now they've done it three games in a row. Kansas City hit nine homers in the series.

Pittsburgh fell to 0-6 on its nine-game trip ahead of the All-Star break after getting shut out in three straight games at Seattle.

Perez had his second multi-homer game of the season and 19th of his career, extending his franchise record.

Lucas Erceg (4-2) worked a scoreless eighth and Carlos Estevez pitched the ninth for his 25th save.

Ke'Bryan Hayes had a two-run single in the Pirates' three-run sixth.

Key moment

Perez sent the first pitch of the eighth to the walkway just short of the fountains in right-center.

Key stat

Kansas City swept a series at home for the first time since a four-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox in early May.

Up next

Pirates: Begin a three-game series at Minnesota on Friday.

Royals: Host the New York Mets for three games starting Friday.

In summary

The Kansas City Royals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 on July 9, 2025, completing a three-game sweep at Kauffman Stadium. Salvador Perez hit two home runs, including the go-ahead homer in the eighth inning, and Jac Caglianone added a record-breaking rookie home run. Lucas Erceg earned the win, and Carlos Estevez recorded his 25th save. Ke'Bryan Hayes drove in runs for the Pirates. The Royals extended their recent winning streak, while the Pirates' losing streak continued on their road trip.

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