Two-run home runs by Lane Thomas and Salvador Perez lifted the Kansas City Royals to a 6-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Saturday, July 18 at Kauffman Stadium.

Thomas’ blast to left field came with two outs in the first and Carter Jensen on base. The Royals extended the lead in the bottom of the third when Jac Caglianone doubled home Jensen, followed in the fourth with Isaac Collins’ single to center field that scored Michael Massey. Perez hit his 12th home run of the year in the sixth after Vinnie Pasquantino’s one-out single, putting Perez within two home runs of the franchise career record set by George Brett.

The Padres sought to take advantage of five walks issued by Royals pitching, but would ground into three double plays and go one-for-nine with runners in scoring position, stranding seven base runners. A leadoff home run by Fernando Tatis Jr in the third was the only score San Diego would get. Griffin Canning took his eighth loss of the year, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks in just 3.2 innings, with four strikeouts.

Royals starter Randy Dobnak went 4.1 innings, allowing the lone home run on four hits and four walks with three strikeouts. Daniel Lynch IV allowed a pair of hits in the sixth and seventh innings but was otherwise spotless for his third win of the season.

The Royals are now 40-59, 12 games behind Chicago and Cleveland in the AL Central and 10 games out of the third wild card spot. They go for the sweep Sunday with Noah Cameron on the mound against Germán Márquez. First pitch is at 1:10 p.m., with pregame at 12:30 p.m. on KMMO AM 1300.