BALTIMORE -- Orioles starter Chris Tillman couldn't find the plate early in Thursday night's rubber game against the Royals.
And when Tillman did, loud noises followed, such as catcher Salvador Perez's opposite-field grand slam that gave the Royals a quick 4-0 lead. It wasn't enough, though, as the Orioles marched back for an 11-6 win.
Grand slams mean 40% off pizza
It was a birthday slam for Perez, who turned 28. It was his second career grand slam, and he became the second Royal to hit a grand slam on his birthday -- Mike Sweeney did it in 2002.
"It doesn't matter," Perez said. "We still lost. It'd be way better [in a win]. A grand slam and win? Woof."
Jonathan Jay led off the game with a single to center. Tillman promptly walked Jorge Soler and Mike Moustakas, the latter on four pitches, before Perez jumped on an 0-2 four-seam fastball and drove it out to right, just barely.
"As soon as I hit it, at best I thought it was a sacrifice fly," Perez said. "But in Baltimore the balls carry a lot. I was confused a little bit at first [whether it was a home run]. But as soon as I saw the umpire signal, I was happy about that."