How Salvador Perez helped the Royals (and closer Lucas Ercec) win their first wild-card game

If you want to know why Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez was named team captain, look no further than the ninth inning of Tuesday’s American League Wild Card game against the Baltimore Orioles.

Perez stopped the game in the ninth inning as closer Lucas Erceg was under pressure. Erceg had just walked on six pitches with Orioles reliever Ryan O’Hearn. O’Hearn represented the draw.

Next up was Baltimore star Adley Rutschman. One swing could have ended the game, and Perez wanted to remind Ertz of the team’s faith in him.

“He was basically testing me,” Erceg said. “He said, ‘Is everything OK? Let’s go. Come on, that’s it. So he kind of locked me back in and dragged me back into the zone.

Erceg singled and struck out Rutschman on six pitches. He fed him a steady diet of four-seam fastballs and changeups. Rutschman fouled out a pair, then was caught looking at a 92.5 mph speed change at the bottom of the strike zone.

Erceg later retired Orioles rookie Colton Cowser and shortstop Heston Kjerstad to end the game.

It was his first postseason save. The Royals also had their first postseason away break in franchise history.

“He kind of helped me settle in a little bit,” Erceg said of Perez after the game.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro praised Perez for understanding the moment. Perez is known for lending a helping hand in every situation. He often visits the mound from his catching position or first base.

The Royals have made a bet on Perez this season. The club reiterated its desire for Perez to return to the playoffs this week. Now they want to help him win another World Series for everything he has meant to Kansas City.

“He understands his role on this team as a leader,” Quatraro said. And he doesn’t go out there just to go out there. He goes out there when he has something to say and understands that he can make a difference. … You know, he’s a great person and a great leader. But in cases like this, that’s the guy we want to understand what’s going on.”

The Royals will look to advance to the ALDS on Wednesday afternoon. KC right-hander Seth Lugo draws the start of Game 2 at 3:38 p.m. on ESPN.

“Every win is very important, but getting the first one, you know, kind of puts us in the driver’s seat,” Erceg said. “So we’re going to press the gas pedal and not look back. We will finish this strong, no matter what.