(Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO -- One of major league baseball's top prospects Bobby Witt Jr made his debut for the Kansas City Royals and did not disappoint. With the game tied up at one in the home half of the 8th inning, Witt Jr jumped on a high and in fastball for his first major league hit and a go-ahead RBI. Nicky Lopez followed up the RBI with a high long fly ball to left-center that dropped in between Straw and Rosario to take a two-run lead. Kansas City went on to defeat the visiting Guardians by the final score of 3-1 to open the 2022 season.
Shane Bieber was on a strict pitch count but looked the part regardless. The Cleveland ace gave up one earned run on three hits, striking out four batters in 4.2 innings pitched. Triston McKenzie took his first loss of the game, giving up two earned runs on two hits while struggling with his command.
The Guardians will take Friday off before squaring off against the Royals on Saturday afternoon in the second game of the series. First pitch is set for 4:10 pm ET at Ewing M Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.