KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Royals pitchers gave up 22 hits, including a pair of home runs — one a grand slam — in a 17-3 drubbing at the hands of the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday in front of an announced 20,165 at Kauffman Stadium.
Despite the rout, the Royals can still take three of the four games in the season-opening series with a win on Monday afternoon.
Starting pitcher Kris Bubic, who’d had an impressive spring training, didn’t make it through the first inning. Meanwhile, starters-turned-relievers Jackson Kowar (7 runs allowed on 11 hits in 3 1/3 innings) and Brady Singer (4 runs allowed on six hits in three innings) each pitched in relief and were also tagged by Guardians hitters.
Rookie third baseman Bobby Witt Jr. drove in the Royals’ first two runs of the game with a double in the third inning, his second major-league hit. The Royals didn’t score again until Carlos Santana (1 for 4, double) scored on a fielder’s choice in the ninth inning.
