Salvy sizzles on defense for red-hot Royals

KANSAS CITY -- The 90-plus-degree heat made defense a rare issue for the Royals in Sunday's 11-10 win over the Blue Jays, but not even the stifling conditions could throw Salvador Perez off his game.

Entering the sixth inning with a 7-0 lead, the Royals saw the Blue Jays string together six hits amid two fielding errors that helped Toronto score eight runs for the lead in the rubber game.

All told, only two of Toronto's 10 runs were earned. The Royals finished with a season-high four errors, while the Blue Jays committed three.

"It was just one of those days where nothing was going to come easy," Royals manager Ned Yost.

But Perez's smart defense saved the Royals in two separate situations.

Chasing a wild pitch with one out in the seventh inning, Perez caught Russell Martin -- the potential game-tying run -- rounding third base too far after Martin spotted reliever Kelvin Herrera not covering home plate. Perez fired to third baseman Mike Moustakas, who tagged out Martin at the bag and kept the Royals in front, 10-9. A crew cief review ruled the play at third as stands.

"Seriously, I don't know what happened with him," Perez said. "I don't know if he was trying to score or trying to fake or something. Good thing Mike was right there."

Added Yost, "That saved us right there."

Perez made another sharp throw in the ninth to second base, catching Ryan Goins stealing second after a strikeout to record the final out of the game.

"Funny game, but it's good we won today," said Perez, who also threw Kevin Pillar out trying to steal third in the second inning.