The Kauffman Stadium crowd erupted in the bottom of the eighth inning as rookie Bobby Witt Jr., making his major league debut, lined a two-out RBI double into left field to score the go-ahead run in the Kansas City Royals’ 3-1 Opening Day win over the Cleveland Guardians.
The Guardians’ lineup was as advertised in their season-opening loss, mustering seven hits, four walks, and one earned run. Myles Straw led the team with two hits and scored their only run on a José Ramirez RBI double in the fourth inning to give the Guardians a 1-0 lead.
Rookie right fielder Steven Kwan had himself an impressive debut at least, walking twice and then singling to right field in the ninth inning for his first major league hit.