DETROIT — Salvador Perez is a legend, both in his native Venezuela and his adopted home of Kansas City. He’s earned nine All-Star nods, five Gold Gloves and four Silver Slugger Awards. His name is as synonymous with the Royals as it is with the catching position. He’s one of the most recognizable faces of the game, and certainly a veteran with considerable influence on the clubhouse around him.

All that to say, no one would’ve questioned Perez if he’d have pulled up at third with no outs in the fourth inning at Comerica Park. But Perez has never just given “some.” His teammates were watching from the dugout rail, counting on him to make things happen against a formidable opponent in AL Cy Young candidate Tarik Skubal.

And so, when Hunter Renfroe’s double clanged off the bottom of a wall in the outfield and caromed over left fielder Ryan Vilade’s head, there was no stopping Salvy, who scored from first base during the Royals’ 9-2 win over the Tigers on Friday. Kansas City has now won five straight games, all of which came on the road.

It’s important to note here that a sturdy lower half is a must for catchers, and as such, they’re not typically known for their fleet feet. Salvy didn’t care: The way he tore around second base suggested he’d have a lot more than six career stolen bases if things were left up to him.

Perez also homered in the second — a Statcast-projected 448-foot shot — and doubled in a run during Kansas City’s six-run seventh to finish 3-for-5 with three runs scored and a triple shy of the cycle. His two RBIs gave him 887 in his career, moving him into sole possession of fourth place on the Royals’ all-time list, behind only George Brett (1,596), Hal McRae (1,012) and Amos Otis (992).