ST. LOUIS (AP) — Salvador Perez homered and drove in two runs, Stephen Kolek allowed four hits in 6 1/3 innings and the Kansas City Royals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 on Sunday to snap a six-game losing streak.
Kolek (2-0) struck out three and walked one in his third start of the season after returning from a strained left oblique on May 5.
Daniel Lynch IV pitched 1 2/3 innings, and Lucas Erceg worked the ninth for his 11th save of the season.
Perez launched the first pitch he saw in the fourth inning 392 feet into the left-field stands for his seventh homer of the season to expand Kansas City’s lead to 2-0.
Andre Pallante (4-4) allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits and struck out seven in 6 2/3 innings as the Cardinals had their three-game winning streak snapped.
Maikel Garcia grounded a single up the middle leading off the game, advanced to third base when Victor Scott II bobbled Vinnie Pasquantino's single and scored on Perez’s sacrifice fly to left field to give the Royals a 1-0 lead.
Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn left the game and was favoring his left leg as he returned to the dugout in the bottom of the seventh inning after beating out a double play attempt at first base. Manager Oliver Marmol said Winn had left knee discomfort and would be day to day.
Royals: RHP Seth Lugo (1-3, 3.76 ERA) will oppose Boston RHP Sonny Gray (4-1, 3.18) to open a nine-game homestand Monday night.
Cardinals: LHP Matthew Liberatore (2-2, 4.40) will oppose Pittsburgh RHP Mitch Keller (4-2, 3.59) to open a three-game home series Tuesday night.
This version has been corrected to show Vinnie Pasquantino singled in the first, not Bobby Witt Jr.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday, May 17, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Stephen Kolek throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday, May 17, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 2026--
VahatiCor, Inc., a medtech company developing interventional therapies for Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction (CMD), announced today the appointment of Harry D. Rowland, Ph.D., as Chief Executive Officer.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260517830314/en/
Rowland previously served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Endotronix, where he led the development and commercialization of the Cordella™ Pulmonary Artery Sensor and Heart Failure System. Under his leadership, Endotronix raised over $150 million and grew to more than 150 employees. He also oversaw the PROACTIVE-HF pivotal trial from execution through FDA premarket approval and commercial launch. Following its acquisition by Edwards Lifesciences in 2024, Rowland stayed on to support key CMS national coverage and CE Mark milestones.
"Harry has led a medical company through this arc before. He took Endotronix from clinical concept to FDA approval and subsequent acquisition by Edwards Lifesciences, building both the team and the supporting evidence base," said Marwan Berrada-Sounni, Co-Founder of VahatiCor. "As VahatiCor advances A-FLUX and continues to generate evidence for patients with Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction, we are confident that Harry is the right leader to bring this therapy forward."
VahatiCor is enrolling patients in SERRA-I, its early feasibility study of the A-FLUX Reducer System ®, while preparing for SERRA-II and advancing engineering, clinical, regulatory, and commercial initiatives. Rowland's experience guiding a cardiovascular medical technology company from clinical development through regulatory approval and commercialization will support VahatiCor's next phase of growth.
“I was immediately drawn to VahatiCor as a promising alternative treatment option for patients suffering from persistent chest pain. The A-FLUX hourglass-shaped implant, placed in the coronary sinus, is designed to increase blood flow to the microvasculature, reducing this pain and improving overall quality of life,” said Harry Rowland, CEO of VahatiCor. “I’m excited to join the talented VahatiCor team and partner with physician collaborators to grow the evidence to support clinical use and help patients in need.”
Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction (CMD) affects millions of patients who experience persistent angina (chest pain) and related symptoms without blockages in the large coronary arteries. VahatiCor is developing the A-FLUX Reducer System ®, a catheter-based intervention for patients with ongoing CMD symptoms despite medical therapy. The A-FLUX Reducer System® is investigational and has not received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for commercial use.
“Harry is the right leader for VahatiCor at this pivotal stage, when breakthrough technology requires disciplined execution,” said Brian R. Smith, Managing Director at S3 Ventures. “A-FLUX® represents a substantial opportunity to reach a large, underserved patient population, and Harry brings the proven ability to build the team, clinical evidence, and operational foundation needed to move that opportunity forward. His leadership brings to VahatiCor the operating strength and focus required for its next phase of growth.”
VahatiCor will participate in EuroPCR 2026 in Paris, France, from May 19 to 22. The company will host a scientific symposium, “Early Evidence from a Next-Generation Coronary Sinus Reducer for the Treatment of Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction,” on Wednesday, May 20, from 12:30 to 13:15 CEST in Room 241 at the Palais des Congrès. The symposium will feature continuous thermodilution, coronary sinus reducer therapy for microvascular dysfunction, and early clinical evidence from VahatiCor’s SERRA-I study.
About VahatiCor
VahatiCor, Inc. develops innovative medical technology solutions for patients with Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction (CMD), a debilitating condition affecting millions of people who experience chest pain despite having no blockages in their major coronary arteries. The A-FLUX Reducer System® introduces a new therapeutic pathway for patients affected by coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), a condition that can cause chest pressure, heaviness, and discomfort. With this advancement, VahatiCor is helping expand access to care for individuals who have long faced limited treatment options.
VahatiCor CEO, Harry D. Rowland, Ph.D.
