KC Royals’ bats start cold in 2-0 loss to Minnesota Twins on Opening Day
Opening Day is all about looking ahead to a new season.
Unfortunately for the Royals in their 2-0 loss Thursday to Minnesota at Kauffman Stadium, they were hurt by a familiar bugaboo from a year ago.
The Royals had the second-worst on-base-plus slugging percentage (OPS) in the American League with runners in scoring position (.686) in 2022.
On Thursday, the Royals squandered a bases-loaded opportunity with one out and finished the game 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position. The Royals had just two hits but drew five walks, leaving a sellout crowd of 38,351 feeling flat.
“It’s a process-oriented game,” Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino said, “but the results have got to show and they didn’t today. We’ll get back after it Saturday.”
The game was scoreless in the fifth inning when Kyle Isbel doubled with one out. Edward Olivares followed and was hit by a pitch, and Bobby Witt Jr. walked on a 3-2 pitch.
MJ Melendez saw three straight balls to open his plate appearance but then grounded to first base, starting a 3-2-4 double play that ended the inning.
The Twins seized momentum as Byron Buxton opened with a triple and scored on Trevor Larnach’s single. After an out, left-hander Amir Garrett was summoned to replace Zack Greinke.
Garrett issued a walk and a pair of singles as the Twins took a 2-0 lead.
“That’s what the game boiled down to — they had an opportunity and they capitalized and we had one and we didn’t,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “Pretty much that simple.”
Zack Greinke’s solid day
Royals starting pitcher Zack Greinke gave up the two runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He posted four strikeouts and walked one.
Greinke was also the Opening Day starter for the Royals in 2022, though that appearance resulted in a win.
“It was all right,” said Greinke, who noted the high winds. “Weird weather conditions and then first game. But I made a lot of good pitches. They put some pretty good at-bats, I got out of a jam or two. Overall just like a solid mix of everything happening.”
Pace of play
In the first-ever Royals game with a pitch clock, the contest was over in 2 hours, 32 minutes.
Royals catcher Salvador Perez said leading up to the game he felt the new rules could help extend his career. Perez was named the fourth-ever Royals team captain before Thursday’s game.
Up next: The Royals will face the Twins on Saturday at Kauffman Stadium. Jordan Lyles will make his Royals debut, while Sonny Gray starts for Minnesota. First pitch is set for 3:10 p.m.
This story was originally published March 30, 2023 at 5:55 PM.
