ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Salvador Perez gave the Royals a late lift Wednesday night heading into a key midseason series. Perez hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the ninth inning and Kansas City beat Tampa Bay 5-4 to take two of three from the Rays. The second-place Royals return home Thursday night to begin a four-game series against AL Central-leading Detroit, which has a 4 1/2-game lead. "That was a huge win for us," Kansas City manager Ned Yost said. "Thats the difference between 4 1/2 games back compared to 5 1/2 games back. Definitely nice to have a little momentum going home for the last four games before the All-Star break. Its a lot better than the alternative." Kirby Yates (0-1), the fifth Tampa Bay reliever, entered with runners at the corners and gave up Perezs one-out shot into the left-field corner. Perez wasnt sure if the drive would stay fair or even clear the low fence near the foul pole. "As soon as the ball hit on the other side, good for us," he said. Its been a big week for Perez, chosen Sunday to start at catcher for the American League in next weeks All-Star game. Aaron Crow (4-1) pitched a scoreless eighth and Greg Holland got three outs for his 24th save. All-Star outfielder Alex Gordon (sprained right wrist) and third baseman Mike Moustakas (flu) were not in Kansas Citys starting lineup. In addition, left-hander Jason Vargas was taken to the hospital for an appendectomy. Gordon entered as a ninth-inning defensive replacement. He will have an MRI exam Thursday. "I dont think its anything serious," he said. Kevin Kiermaier went 4 for 4 with a grand slam for the Rays. Tampa Bay, which lost for the fourth time in 14 games, missed a chance to gain a game on AL East-leading Baltimore. The Rays remained nine games back of the Orioles in fourth place. "It stings a little bit," Yates said. "Its a game we could have won and we needed to win. Obviously, it doesnt feel good. Its a situation where you let your team down, but theres nothing I can do about it now." After starter Yordano Ventura walked light-hitting Jose Molina to load the bases with two outs in the fourth, Kiermaier sent a shot into the right-field stands to give Tampa Bay a 4-2 lead. Eric Hosmer hit a first-pitch solo homer with two outs in the first off Alex Cobb that put the Royals up 1-0. It was the first time Cobb pitched against Kansas City since being struck near the right ear June 15 last year by a liner hit by Hosmer. Cobb, sidelined for two months due to problems that included a concussion and symptoms of vertigo, allowed two runs and six hits in 6 2-3 innings. Ventura gave up four runs, five hits and four walks in five innings. He struck out five. The Royals loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth, but scored just once to take a 2-0 lead on Raul Ibanezs grounder. Kansas City failed to score with the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh when reliever Grant Balfour got a pop fly from Perez. NOTES: Kansas City is 2-37 when trailing entering the ninth inning. ... Tampa Bay SS Yunel Escobar (shoulder) could return Friday. ... Kansas City RHP Jeremy Guthrie (5-7) and Tigers LHP Drew Smyly (4-8) are Thursdays scheduled starters. ... The Rays are off Thursday before starting a three-game series Friday night against Toronto. Wholesale Jerseys Cheap . -- The Oakland Athletics and free agent right-hander Bartolo Colon have agreed to terms on a US$2 million, one-year contract, bolstering their depleted starting rotation. Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys . JOHNS, N. http://www.wholesalenfljerseyssupplycheap.com/ . Make the extra pass, take care of the ball, play defence and get more out of his bench. NFL Jerseys Supply . The Broncos quarterback earned the offensive award Wednesday after passing for 374 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-21 win over the Raiders Monday night. Manning completed 32-of-37 passes and had a passer rating of 135. Wholesale NFL Jerseys Authentic . -- James Harden scored 31 points, including 25 in the second half, and the Houston Rockets dug out of a double-digit, first-half hole to beat the Orlando Magic 101-89 on Wednesday night.Sunrise, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Ryan Miller stopped 23 shots and set a new personal-best shutout streak in Vancouvers 2-1 decision over Florida on Monday. Miller, who had recorded back-to-back shutouts in his previous two starts at Philadelphia and Carolina, saw his run of keeping the opposition off the scoreboard end late in regulation. He was bidding to become the first CCanucks netminder to post three straight whitewashes since his counterpart, Roberto Luongo.dddddddddddd Radim Vrbata and Bo Horvat scored early in the contest for the Canucks, who close out this successful three-game trip in Tampa Bay on Tuesday. Brandon Pirri recorded the lone score for the Panthers, while Luongo made 21 saves in his teams fourth straight defeat. ' ' '