KC Royals recover from 3-0 deficit, take Game 1 of doubleheader in St. Louis

The Kansas City Royals reached 50 wins this season with a 6-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the first game of a Wednesday doubleheader at Busch Stadium.

And they did it in a comeback fashion.

The Royals rallied from a three-run deficit to take the I-70 series opener. The KC offense rallied behind four extra-base hits.

In the fifth inning, the Royals scored three runs against Cardinals starter Andre Pallante. He surrendered four hits in the frame, including a two-run double by Royals outfielder Garrett Hampson.

An inning later, the Royals regained the lead on Salvador Perez’s 15th home run. The Royals captain finished with two RBIs Wednesday.

That run support was enough for Royals starter Alec Marsh. He rebounded from two early home runs to shut down the Cardinals. Each St. Louis run scored via the long ball.

The Royals improved to 50-43 and won their second consecutive game during an eight-game road trip.

The Cardinals dropped to 48-43.

KC was looking to sweep the quick two-game later Wednesday. Royals pitcher and former Cardinal Michael Wacha was scheduled to make the start in his first game back at Busch Stadium.

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Here are more notable aspects of Game 1:

Alec Marsh steadies after shaky start

The Royals got behind early against the Cardinals in Game 1. St. Louis was aggressive against Marsh in the first few innings.

Cardinals star Nolan Arenado hit a two-run homer in the second frame. It was his eighth home run of the year as St. Louis took a 2-0 lead. An inning later, Cardinals outfielder Alec Burleson added his own solo homer to extend the lead.

Marsh managed to rebound quickly. He retired his last 11 batters in order en route to his seventh win of the season.

The Cardinals recorded three hits and struck out eight times in his outing. Marsh threw 101 pitches and registered 16 whiffs, per Baseball Savant.

Marsh now has five quality starts on the season.

Salvador Perez hits go-ahead homer

The Royals climbed back from an early three-run deficit in Game 1. In the sixth inning, Perez pulled the team ahead with his 15th home run.

Perez hit a 96.8-mph fastball over the center field wall. The baseball traveled 424 feet as Marsh was given a chance for the victory.

Since June 24, Perez has recorded a hit in 11 of his past 14 games. He has recorded five extra-base hits and 12 RBIs during that span.

Perez finished 2-for-4 in the game. He holds the Royals Interleague record for most home runs (43), RBIs (134) and hits (232).

What’s next on the KC Royals’ schedule?

The Royals finish their quick two-game set against the Cardinals. Right-hander Michael Wacha will start Game 2 of Wednesday’s doubleheader at Busch Stadium.

Wacha returns to St. Louis for the first time since departing in 2020. He spent seven seasons with the Cardinals after being selected in the 2012 MLB Draft.

This season, Wacha is 5-6 with a 3.74 ERA. The Cardinals haven’t announced a starter for Game 2 of the doubleheader.