Pasquantino and Pérez Hit Home Runs as Royals Beat Blue Jays 6-1, Knocking Toronto Out of Playoff Position

Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Pérez each hit a home run as the Kansas City Royals beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-1 on Sunday, preventing a three-game sweep.

Kansas City took a 3-0 lead before Toronto starter Spencer Arrighetti recorded an out. John Rave reached on an infield single, Bobby Witt Jr. walked, and Pasquantino followed with a three-run homer.

Witt opened the third inning with a line-drive double off the left-field wall. One out later, Venezuelan catcher Salvador Pérez hit a two-run homer that bounced off the top of the fence near the same spot, extending the lead to 5-0. Nick Loftin added another run in the fifth with an infield single after a walk and a hit batter.

Randy Dobnak earned the win, allowing one run in six innings. He struck out three and walked none, although three of the four hits he surrendered came in his final inning. Arrighetti allowed six runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings, with three walks and three strikeouts.

Toronto finally scored against Dobnak in the sixth. Josh Smith hit his fifth homer just over the right-field wall and inside the foul pole. The loss left the Blue Jays at 72-72, one game behind Cleveland for the American League’s final wild-card place. Cleveland beat Detroit 3-2 in 10 innings.