If the Kansas City Royals aim to snap their playoff drought, they are going to need their captain to lead the way.

Salvador Perez sure took charge against the Cleveland Guardians in Monday’s Game 2 of a split doubleheader at Progressive Field. Perez hit two homers, including his sixth career grand slam, as the Royals cruised to a 9-4 victory in a clash of American League Central leaders.

Perez finished with six RBIs and tied Royals Hall of Famers George Brett and Frank White in multiple categories. Perez sits alongside Brett for the most multi-homer games in club history (17) and White for most grand slams (6).

The Royals won both games of Monday’s twin bill, earlier defeating Cleveland 4-3. Kansas City improved to 74-58 and sits one game behind the Guardians (75-57) for first place in the American League Central.

The teams traded punches early in the evening game.

The Royals started poorly as two errors gifted the Guardians three runs in the first inning. Royals outfielder Dairon Blanco misplayed a fly ball in right field and Cleveland star Jose Ramirez was credited with an RBI double.

Later, Royals starting pitcher Alec Marsh was charged with a throwing error on a pickoff attempt. Kansas City was quickly in a 3-0 hole heading to the second inning.

But the Royals kept chipping away at that margin. Third baseman Paul DeJong hit a solo homer to get the visitors on the board. In the fourth inning, Perez hit a sacrifice fly to drive home second baseman Maikel Garcia.

Perez slugged his home runs in consecutive innings. And that outburst helped pick up Marsh on the mound. Marsh pitched 4 2/3 innings in a spot-start. He allowed four runs (two earned) and struck out two.

The Guardians chased Marsh from the game in the fifth inning. But Royals southpaw Sam Long ended a potential threat by retiring star first baseman Josh Naylor in relief.

Cleveland wouldn’t draw any closer. The Royals shut the door late and won their sixth game (in eight tries) against the Guardians this season.

Here are more notable aspects from Game 2 of Monday’s doubleheader:

Paul DeJong continues solid play

The Royals made a shrewd move at the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline by acquiring Paul DeJong from the Chicago White Sox.

Ever since he made the short trek across dugouts — the Royals were playing in Chicago at the time of the trade — DeJong has provided a major boost to the Kansas City lineup.

DeJong has 16 hits and 10 RBIs since July 31. In Game 2, DeJong added to those numbers against the Guardians.

He hit his 22nd home run in the Royals victory. All together, DeJong finished 2 for 4 and shined against Guardians left-hander Logan Allen. He belted an 82.7 mph cutter that traveled 408 feet into the left-center field seats.

The homer represented the first run of the night. Prior to Monday’s game, DeJong was hitting .188 (18-for-96) against left-handed pitchers.

Allen allowed five earned runs in five innings against the Royals.

What’s next on the Royals’ schedule?

The Royals continue their four-game series against the Guardians. On Tuesday, Kansas City right-hander Michael Lorenzen will start at Progressive Field.

Lorenzen has a 1.99 ERA in four starts since joining the Royals. He has allowed five earned runs and struck out 16 batters in that span.

The Guardians will start right-hander Gavin Williams. He is 2-6 with a 5.13 ERA in 10 starts this season.

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