The Catcher in the Record Books

09/17/2021

By: Jeff Yoder

Salvador Perez Joins the Home Run Race With Record-Tying 45th Blast

The home run race just got tighter. Royals’ catcher Salvador Perez launched a 2-run homer in his first at-bat Thursday against the A’s to tally his 45th of the season and tie Johnny Bench for the most HRs in a season by a catcher. Perez knotted up the HR race with Vlad Guerrero Jr. (45) as he overtook Shohei Ohtani (44). It’s a three-horse race with two weeks left in the season as no other batter has more than 40 HRs. The Royals may be eliminated from the postseason, but there’s one milestone to hang their hats on. Kansas City lost to the A’s (7-2).

Watch: Salvador Perez Hits Record-Tying 45th HR

MLB Playoff Picture

American League

AL East: Rays (91-56)

AL Central: White Sox (83-63)

AL West: Astros (86-60)

Wild Card: Blue Jays (82-64)

Wild Card: Red Sox (83-65)

In the Hunt: Yankees (82-65), Athletics (79-67), Mariners (78-68)

National League

NL East: Braves (76-68)

NL Central: Brewers (89-57)