How the Royals’ season opener in Atlanta went sideways — and what awaits Saturday
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Cole Ragans surrendered multiple homers and exited after four innings in loss.
- Kansas City managed five hits and left seven runners on base against Sale.
- Chris Sale threw six shutout innings as Braves won 6-0 at Truist Park.
Kansas City Royals ace Cole Ragans stumbled off the mound in the first inning of Friday evening’s season opener at Truist Park.
The 28-year-old left-hander was facing Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies and lost his footing as he planted toward the ground. Ragans shook it off, to that point having retired Atlanta’s first two hitters on three pitches.
Things began to unravel quickly after that, however. Albies bested him later in the at-bat, belting an 83.8 mph changeup over the left-field wall to give the Braves an early lead.
“I’m not going to blame it on that,” Ragans said of the slip. “I just didn’t command the baseball.”
Atlanta proceeded to hammer two more home runs off Ragans. And after four innings, he was replaced by left-handed reliever Bailey Falter.
It wasn’t the opening day start Ragans would’ve hoped for. Or the Royals, who were shut out 6-0.
Ragans struggled to land his secondary pitches, recording just 52 of his 90 pitches for strikes. He also left a few mistake pitches over the plate and the Braves took advantage.
Per Statcast, Ragans gave up four combined hard-hits with his slider and changeup. The average exit velocity against his slider was 105.5 mph.
“Didn’t land the curveball very many times,” Ragans said. “Slider had some swing-and-miss on it ... but overall, just not quality.”
Braves designated hitter Drake Baldwin extended the home team’s lead with a home run in the third inning. And center fielder Michael Harris made Ragans pay after a one-out walk in the fifth, hitting a two-run shot over the right-field wall.
“The Albies one, I just hung a changeup in the first,” Ragans said. “Baldwin, I was trying to go heater away and put it right into his honey hole, down and in. And then Harris, just an 0-0 slider, trying to get it away and left it middle-in. It’s where he likes to do his damage, as well. Like I said, just not a lot of quality strikes.”
The Royals mustered just three of their five total hits against veteran left-handed Braves starter Chris Sale. He didn’t have his best command, either — the Royals made him work — but he was able to navigate around potential trouble.
In the second inning, the Royals had the bases loaded with one out. It was their best chance to scratch across an early run against Sale. But the opportunity was wasted.
Offseason acquisition Isaac Collins grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat. He saw two pitches in the at-bat and rolled over on a 96.2 mph fastball from Sale.
“He’s one of the best lefties in the league, you know,” Perez said of Sale. “He doesn’t leave too many pitches in the middle of home plate. So I think we had some opportunities and we also hit the ball hard today.”
The Royals finished 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base.
“We took some walks and made him work,” Quatraro said of Sale. “Then he settled (in) in the fourth and fifth (innings). They made a couple nice plays in the sixth that could’ve swung things differently.”
Sale pitched six shutout innings. He was able to work deeper into the game behind a couple of fine defensive plays from Braves stars Ronald Acuña Jr. and Austin Riley. Both robbed Royals batters (Perez and Vinnie Pasquantino) of hits in the sixth inning.
“They’re gonna be top-10 tonight on ESPN and there are gonna be at least four plays,” Perez said of the Braves defensively. “They made some really good plays. I think we hit the ball hard, you know. I don’t think it’s gonna be like that every time.”
On Saturday, the Royals will turn to Michael Wacha as their starting pitcher agains the Braves. The 34-year-old right-hander will be opposing Atlanta’s Reynaldo Lopez in a game that is scheduled to start at 6:15 p.m. Central Time at Truist Park.
“We lost, but we are happy to be back,” Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia said. “Just come back tomorrow and try to get the first (win).”
This story was originally published March 27, 2026 at 9:02 PM.
