Salvador Perez hurt as Kansas City Royals drop series finale at New York Mets 2-1

The New York Mets honored longtime pitcher Dwight “Doc” Gooden on Sunday. The club retired his No. 16 jersey in a special on-field ceremony before the Mets played host to the Kansas City Royals at Citi Field.

Gooden, who posted a 1.85 ERA in 1985, is a former Cy Young winner and two-time World Series champion. He also knew a few things about pitchers’ duels.

Starting pitchers Cole Ragans and Jose Butto had their own standoff in Sunday’s series finale. They combined for 17 strikeouts across six innings.

The Mets walked away with a 2-1 victory, however, scoring two late runs against Royals reliever Chris Stratton. And the loss included an injury of unknown severity to KC star catcher Salvador Perez (more about that below).

“(Butto) just did a really good job of changing up his game plan,” Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino said. “And we took a while to adjust to it. So, tip our hat to him. He competed really well today. He shut us out.”

The Royals (10-6), who entered the game leading the American League with 84 runs, managed just two hits and struck out nine times against Butto.

“Early on, it was the changeup,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “That was a unique pitch. Later, he mixed it up a little bit more and landed some sliders and elevated the fastball. That was the first time we had seen him. He was tough. He mixed it up well.”

Ragans matched Butto’s production. In his fourth start, Ragans allowed five hits and struck out eight. He recorded 23 swings and six whiffs with his fastball, per Baseball Savant.

“I felt like I commanded my stuff well,” he said. “Curveball felt good. The fastball, everything felt good. I felt like it got a little sluggish there in the sixth, but found a way.”

Stratton walked four in the eighth inning and the Mets capitalized. Bader drove home star teammate Pete Alonso with an infield single for one of the hosts’ two runs.

“I just wasn’t getting ahead of anybody,” Stratton said. “(They were) just kind of waiting me out there, you know, to attack the zone. Didn’t get the job done today and ruined one of Cole’s great outings.

“We have been playing really good ball lately, so I think I let our team down. But it’s just one game and I can’t wait to get to Chicago and try to go from there.”

The Royals scored a run against Mets closer Edwin Diaz in the ninth inning. Pasquantino hit his second home run of the season to narrow the deficit.

But the blast came with two away and no one on, and Diaz got Freddy Fermin to pop out to end the game.

Missed previous games of the series?

Game 1: Royals limited to three hits as 7-game winning streak ends vs. Mets

Game 2: Salvador Perez hits 250th career home run in Royals’ 11-7 victory

Here’s more about Sunday’s game:

MJ Melendez denies Mets early run

Ragans ran into some early against the Mets.

In the fourth inning, the Mets had two runners in scoring position. Starling Marte began the inning with a leadoff single. Francisco Lindor followed with another base hit. Then both players moved up an extra 90 feet after Royals outfielder Hunter Renfroe committed a fielding error.

The Mets had set up a prime scoring opportunity. Ragans was forced to deal with Alonso, and he got him to pop out in foul territory.

Ragans wasn’t out of danger yet. Fortunately for the Royals, he got a little help against New York’s next batter, Tyrone Taylor.

Taylor flew out to MJ Melendez in left field. Melendez caught the ball and threw home to catcher Perez. The throw was on target and Perez stood firm to apply the tag as Marte arrived at the plate.

Marte was called out by home plate umpire Chris Segal, so the game remained scoreless. But Perez was hurt in the collision.

“That’s huge,” Ragans said. “A play like that saves a run and keeps it 0-0.”

The inning over thanks to his tag off the throw from Melendez, Perez was checked out on the field by members of the Royals’ training staff.

Salvador Perez suffers groin injury

Perez was injured applying the tag to Marte in the collision at home plate. He left the game and did not return.

After being examined on the field by the KC medical staff, Perez walked gingerly toward the Royals’ dugout. He had a noticeable limp and was replaced by Fermin at catcher in the fifth inning.

Later in the game, the Royals announced Perez had sustained a left-groin and hip injury. He will be further evaluated on Monday.

“I mean, right now we think it’s a groin strain,” Quatraro said. “But we are going to have to get more testing tomorrow when we get to Chicago.”

Next on the KC Royals’ schedule

The Royals next begin a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox.

Seth Lugo will pitch Monday’s series opener against Eric Fedde at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago. First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. Central Time.

Lugo allowed one earned run in 6 2/3 innings against the White Sox on April 4.