2008 and 2009 Bee Perez Debuts For Kansas City

DAVENPORT, IA- C Salvador Perez made his Major League debut Wednesday night for the Kansas City Royals in Tampa Bay. He started the game and went 1-3 in the Royals' 8-7 loss. He also became the fourth catcher in Major League history to catch five or more popups in a game.

Perez also got the start in last night's 4-1 loss to the Rays, catching former Burlington teammate Danny Duffy. He is the 15th rookie used by the Royals in 2011 and the 10th former Bee on the current roster. He joins RHP Louis Coleman, LHP Danny Duffy, RHP Luke Hochevar, LHP Everett Teaford, RHP Blake Wood, IF Johnny Giavotella, IF Eric Hosmer, IF Mike Moustakas and OF Mitch Maier in Kansas City.

Perez started 2011 in AA Northwest Arkansas and hit .283 with nine home runs and 43 RBIs in 79 games before being promoted to AAA Omaha in late July. He hit .333 in 12 games with the Storm Chasers.

The Bees and Quad Cities River Bandits finish their series on Friday at 7:00 p.m. RHP Nate Long (6-6, 3.25) gets the start for the Bees against RHP Boone Whiting (3-1, 1.98) for the River Bandits. Pre-game coverage begins at 6:40 p.m. on Newsradio 1490 KBUR and online at gobees.com.

2011 Bees tickets are on sale now! To purchase season tickets, bonus books or single game tickets, please give the Bees a call at (319) 754-5705, go online to www.gobees.com, or stop by the box office at Community Field during normal business hours.