Royals hitters put up six runs early on against the Pirates, and Alec Marsh tied a career-high with 11 strikeouts in a 8-3 win over the Pirates in the series opener on Friday night.
The Royals jumped on Pirates starter Luis Ortiz in the second inning. Robbie Grossman drew a one-out walk, then Adam Frazier tapped a grounder back to the mound, but Ortiz threw it wild of first base, allowing the runners to reach second and third. Yuli Gurriel singled home a run, Kyle Isbel doubled home a run, then Tommy Pham singled home two runs. After Bobby Witt Jr.