Royals 5, Rays 4: Salvador Perez belted a go-ahead, three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning as visiting Kansas City rallied to beat Tampa Bay in the rubber match of a three-game series.

Jarrod Dyson singled to lead off the ninth and Eric Hosmer walked with one out before Perez hammered a 0-1 pitch from Kirby Yates (0-1) over the left-field wall. Hosmer also belted a solo blast, Aaron Crow (4-1) pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the win and Greg Holland worked a perfect ninth for his 24th save.

Kevin Kiermaier recorded a career-high four hits, including his first career grand slam, but the Rays saw their three-series winning streak come to an end. Tampa Bay starter Alex Cobb gave up two runs on six hits and struck out seven over 6 2/3 innings, but stayed winless at home (0-4).

Hosmer lined the first pitch he saw into the right-field seats in the first inning and Royals increased their advantage in the fourth on Raul Ibanez's RBI groundout. Two walks and a single from Evan Longoria loaded the bases for the Rays in their half of the fourth, and Kiermaier drilled a 1-2 changeup over the right-field fence.

Perez, who popped up with the bases loaded to end the seventh inning, would not be denied in the ninth as he collected his 11th homer after Joel Peralta had put two runners on. Omar Infante registered three hits while Perez, Lorenzo Cain and Billy Butler added two apiece as the Royals finished their road trip 5-4.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Kansas City All-Star LF Alex Gordon (sprained right wrist, MRI on Thursday) and 3B Mike Moustakas (stomach virus) were unavailable while Royals LHP Jason Vargas, who started in Tuesday’s 4-3 loss, is scheduled for an appendectomy and will miss 3-to-4 weeks. … Kiermaier’s four hits matched a Rays rookie record that has been accomplished 19 times. … Kansas City hosts American League Central-leading Detroit on Thursday for the first of four games and Tampa Bay welcomes Toronto on Friday to begin a three-game set. ... Kansas City starter Yordano Ventura allowed four runs on five hits and four walks over five innings.