Royals rookie Bobby Witt Jr stars in win over Guardians

Bobby Witt Jr. searched the gang for his household earlier than his extremely anticipated large league debut Thursday, lastly recognizing them within the sea of Kansas Metropolis Royals followers that had bundled up for a blustery opening day.

“I do not know in the event that they had been even being attentive to me,” Witt admitted later.

Everybody was being attentive to him by the top.

After going hitless in his first three at-bats, Witt roped a double down the left-field line with two outs within the eighth inning, spurring the Royals to a 3-1 victory over the rechristened Cleveland Guardians.

“You could not have scripted that any higher,” Royals supervisor Mike Matheny stated with a smile. “This is not one he will overlook, and I most likely will not, both.”

In a matchup of former Cy Younger Award winners, Cleveland ace Shane Bieber and erstwhile Royals star Zach Greinke dueled to a 1-all stalemate earlier than turning the sport over to the bullpens on a chilly day at Kauffman Stadium.

It remained tied till the eighth, when the Royals’ Michael Taylor labored a stroll off Triston McKenzie (0-1) after which took second on Nicky Lopez’s sacrifice bunt. McKenzie struck out Whit Merrifield earlier than Witt, regarded by many because the No. 1 prospect within the recreation, doubled down the left-field line to present Kansas Metropolis its first lead.

“I may sort of see it coming a little bit bit with the way in which the sport was going,” stated Greinke, who signed a one-year deal to return to the membership that drafted him 20 years in the past. “It felt prefer it was going to be a special occasion.”

Andrew Benintendi drove in Witt, giving Royals reliever Scott Barlow (1-0) a cushion. And after an ideal eighth, Barlow struck out Myles Straw with runners on the corners within the ninth to finish it.

Lopez additionally drove in a run for Kansas Metropolis, whereas Jose Ramirez had an RBI double for the Guardians a day after agreeing to a $124 million, five-year deal to stick with Cleveland by way of what could possibly be the top of his profession.

Loads of well-known followers braved wintry climate to take pleasure in opening day.

A number of members of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, together with coach Andy Reid, dressed up in Royals gear. So did members of the Kansas basketball workforce, which beat North Carolina within the nationwide title recreation Monday night time in New Orleans.

It was 47 levels at first pitch, and a gale blowing out to proper discipline made if appear even colder. Then there was the off-and-on drizzle that turned to taking pictures pellets of ice through the nationwide anthem, which most likely made all people caught carrying a jersey lengthy for the solar and heat of Arizona spring coaching.

“The climate was not enjoyable for anyone,” Guardians supervisor Terry Francona stated.

Greinke did not appear to thoughts. He wore quick sleeves for his first begin in a Kansas Metropolis uniform since Sept. 30, 2010.

He did not have the identical dominant fastball that he had in 2009, when he gained the Cy Younger, however he made up for it with the knowledge of 18 years within the large leagues — and a beguiling 69 mph curveball. Greinke made it by way of 5 2/3 innings, permitting one run on 5 hits and a stroll whereas hanging out one, then received a standing ovation from the gang.

“He simply is aware of learn how to pitch,” Francona stated.

Bieber, whose Cy Younger got here 11 years after Greinke gained his, was almost pretty much as good. He allowed one run on three hits in 4 2/3 innings for Cleveland, which performed with a brand new title for the primary time since 1915.

Each of the employees aces had been gone by the point Witt got here to bat within the eighth inning, although. They had been diminished to followers identical to everybody else, watching in rapt consideration as one of many recreation’s shiny younger stars stepped to the plate.

“I used to be going nuts. I jumped over the (dugout) railing,” Lopez stated. “He is prepared for this second. The Royals know he is prepared for this second. Everyone knows he is prepared for this second.”

HONORING ART

The Royals honored longtime scout Artwork Stewart, who spent 69 years in skilled baseball, with members of his household throwing out first pitches to George Brett and Mike Sweeney. Stewart died in November on the age of 94.

MONEY BALLERS

The Guardians introduced their $20 million, five-year contract with nearer Emmanuel Clase, which was agreed to over the weekend. They’ve but to announce their take care of Ramirez as a result of a number of particulars are nonetheless being finalized.

TRAINER’S ROOM

The Guardians positioned OF Josh Naylor on the injured record as he works his approach again from a fractured leg. C Luke Maile (proper hamstring pressure) and right-hander James Karinchak (again strained) joined him there.

UP NEXT

After taking Friday off, the sequence resumes Saturday with Cleveland RHP Zach Plesac towards Royals RHP Brad Keller.