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**Royals Power Surge Downs Cubs in 12-4 Rout**

**CHICAGO –** The Kansas City Royals unleashed a barrage of home runs and offensive firepower, overpowering the Chicago Cubs 12-4 on Monday night at Wrigley Field. Salvador Perez led the charge with two home runs and four RBIs, while Jac Caglianone and John Rave added solo shots of their own.

Rookie left-hander Noah Cameron (4-4) earned the win for the Royals, pitching six innings and allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out six. He managed to minimize the damage despite solo home runs from Chicago’s Matt Shaw and Carson Kelly in the second inning.

The Cubs’ pitching struggled, with Ben Brown (4-7) taking the loss after allowing six earned runs on seven hits in four innings of relief following opener Ryan Brasier. Caglianone’s solo homer in the second off Brown ignited the Royals’ offense, and Perez followed with a two-run blast in the fourth.

Kansas City broke the game open with a four-run fifth inning, highlighted by RBI singles from Jonathan India and Bobby Witt Jr. A throwing error and a wild pitch allowed India and Witt to score, further extending the Royals’ lead. Rave’s solo homer in the seventh and Perez’s second two-run homer in the eighth off Chris Flexen sealed the Cubs’ fate and handed them their second consecutive loss.

Witt and Rave both finished with two RBIs, while Shaw contributed three runs batted in for the Cubs. All-Star centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong sat out the game for Chicago due to knee soreness.

A bright spot for the Royals was Witt, who was able to make the most of his opportunity in the fifth, stealing second base and advancing on Kelly’s error to put his team ahead.

The top of the Cubs’ lineup faltered, with Nico Hoerner, Kyle Tucker, and Seiya Suzuki combining to go 0-for-11.

The Cubs will look to bounce back Tuesday as LHP Matthew Boyd (10-3, 2.34 ERA) makes his first post-All Star break appearance. The Royals have yet to announce their starting pitcher.

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