​KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – AUGUST 22: Vinnie Pasquantino #9 of the Kansas City Royals congratulates Salvador Perez on his home run against the Detroit Tigers during the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Reed Hoffmann/Getty Images) | Getty Images Michael Wacha continues to churn out quality starts, writes Jaylon Thompson.“When you are giving up one run, you are going to have a pretty good chance to win,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “And two runs yesterday. That’s usually the name of the game. When your pitching is solid, you’ve got a better chance to win.” Wacha allowed just one run in seven innings. He scattered three hits while registering six strikeouts against the Tigers’ potent lineup. It was his seventh victory and 17th quality start — most in the American League. “Wacha’s the best, man,” Perez said. “Wacha’s been doing that all season long. And every time he is going to pitch, he’s going to give everything he has for us.” Anne Rogers writes about the Saturday win.Isbel was just one of the heroes in the Royals’ win on Saturday. After Isbel put them on the board, Salvador Perez clobbered his 17th home run in the fourth inning to pad the lead. Jac Caglianone doubled in the sixth, moved to third on Perez’s groundout and scored on a wild pitch for insurance. By his celebration, Perez seemed more fired up for moving the runner than his home run.“As soon as they changed the pitcher, Vinnie [Pasquantino] and I talked, like, ‘I’m going to try to move him,’” Perez said. “Bring him in by moving the other way. He threw me a curveball that backed up and jammed me a little bit, but I still hit it to second base. Sometimes things happen. Don’t have the opportunity to bring him in, but the wild pitch scored that run. We’re doing the little things like that, and it’s good for the team.”On Sunday, Salvy had his first stolen base in five years.Salvador Perez channeled his inner Jarrod Dyson after recording his first stolen base since 2021! pic.twitter.com/ATBb9jJICm— MLB (@MLB) August 23, 2026Craig Kimbrel earned his first save with the Royals, the 441th of his career.“You get the final out,” Kimbrel said, “I think that’s one of the things that’s so enticing and fun about closing out games. It’s when you throw the last pitch and the last out is made, you can take a breath and everybody gets to go home happy.” Royals 2026 first-round pick Zion Rose hits his first pro home run.Zion Rose has his first official pro home run! Oppo 🌮 high off the foul pole. #RaisingRoyals👑 pic.twitter.com/GWGiEeBlcW— Raising Royals (@KCRoyalsPD) August 23, 2026Preston Farr checks in on 2026 Royals draftees.Rose has been a mixed bag thus far. He’s made an immediate impact with his speed, stealing eight bases in his first ten games with the River Bandits. The power, however, has been absent, however. Rose did hit his first home run with the Bandi