BALTIMORE -- Orioles starter Chris Tillman couldn't find the plate early in Thursday night's rubber game against the Royals.
And when Tillman did, loud noises followed, such as catcher Salvador Perez's opposite-field grand slam that gave the Royals a quick 4-0 lead.
It was a birthday slam for Perez, who turned 28. It was Perez's second career grand slam.
Jon Jay led off the game with a single to center. Tillman promptly walked Jorge Soler and Mike Moustakas, the latter on four pitches, before Perez jumped on an 0-2 four-seam fastball and drove it out to right.