KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Interstat) — Salvador Perez hit a three-run homer in Kansas City’s seven-run first inning and the Royals beat the Toronto Blue Jays 20-1 on Friday night in a stunning offensive explosion.

The Royals sent 10 batters to the plate against Max Scherzer (5-4), who exited after recording just two outs and allowing seven hits in the shortest non-injury start of his career. It was Scherzer’s shortest outing since facing just one batter while pitching for Washington on June 11, 2021, before leaving with an injury.

Following a homer by George Springer in the top of the first inning, the Royals quickly tied it in the bottom of the inning on Carter Jensen’s leadoff double and Bobby Witt Jr.’s RBI single. Witt scored on Vinnie Pasquantino’s double into the left field corner to give Kansas City the lead for good.

Perez then launched his 30th home run of the season to right-center field, scoring Pasquantino and Maikel Garcia to blow the game open. Michael Massey capped the historic inning with a two-run homer, his third of the year, to make it 7-1.

The Royals piled on, scoring three runs in the third inning, four in the seventh and six more in the eighth. Every Royals starter recorded at least one hit as the team amassed 27 hits, a season high.

Michael Lorenzen (6-11) was the beneficiary of the massive run support, earning the win with a strong 7 2/3-inning outing. He allowed one run on three hits, striking out four. Luinder Avila recorded the final four outs in relief.

Massey led the hit parade, going 4 for 5 with a home run, a double and three RBIs. Pasquantino was a perfect 4 for 4 with two RBIs. Perez and Jac Caglianone each drove in three runs, with Caglianone adding a three-run homer in the seventh. Pinch-hitter Luke Maile went 2 for 2 with three RBIs, and Jensen contributed three hits and two RBIs.

Springer accounted for the entirety of Toronto’s offense, going 2 for 3 with his solo shot in the first. The Blue Jays managed just three hits total and have now lost three of their last four games.

The loss drops Toronto to 89-65 on the season, while the Royals evened their record at 77-77.

The two teams continue their three-game series Saturday at Kauffman Stadium. The game took 2 hours, 50 minutes and was played in front of an announced crowd of 26,459.