Aug 4, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs designated hitter Salvador Perez stared down New York Yankees pitcher Jameson Taillon after getting clipped by a pitch.
The New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals began their three-game series on Monday night, and things got a bit tense in the early portions of the contest.
In the bottom of the third inning, Royals designated hitter Salvador Perez saw only one pitch from Yankees right-hander Jameson Taillon in the at-bat. The 94.7-mph sinker went inside at Perez and clipped him. The catcher was not pleased, as he stared down Taillon while walking over to first base.
Royals: Salvador Perez stares down Jameson Taillon following hit by pitch
Whether it was the clip or Taillon’s pitch being thrown inside, Perez was not happy about it.
Despite the Royals having two runners on base with two outs on the board, Taillon worked out of the jam by striking out first baseman Carlos Santana on six pitches to end the inning to keep the game scoreless.
Perez did get some revenge in his following at-bat in the bottom of the sixth inning, where he laced a single to center field. Yet, he was left stranding on first base after Santana and Andrew Benintendi popped out and flew out in succession.
Entering this game, Perez was slashing .272/.304/.505 while recording 27 home runs, 69 RBI, 51 runs scored and 116 hits. As for Taillon, the pitcher walked into the start with a 7-4 record, a 3.85 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP and 112 strikeouts in 112.1 innings of work.