VIDEO: Salvador Perez takes Tim Hudson pitch off knee, stays in game

The Kansas City Royals nearly lost their starting catcher to injury in the bottom of the second inning.

Perez took a Tim Hudson pitch off his left knee and remained down on the field for a few minutes before gingerly walking to first base.

Losing Perez so early in the game would have been a huge loss for the Royals, as backup catcher Erik Kratz is the only player on the roster not to see action yet this postseason.

Perez was back behind the plate for the top of the third inning and didn't show any ill-effects from the plunking.