By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
The Kansas City Royals offense exploded and in his first start since 2023, Kris Bubic spun a gem, as the Royals spoiled the home opener for the Milwaukee Brewers winning 11-1 on Monday afternoon.
Kansas City started off hot with back to back singled by Jonathan India, who was back in the lineup one day after being hit in the helmet by a pitch, and Bobby Witt Jr. India came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Vinnie Pasquantino.
Michael Massey's ground rule double prevented Witt from coming home to score, but one batter later Hunter Renfroe singled scoring both Massey and Witt Jr giving Kansas City an early 3-0 lead. Maikel Garcia extended the lead in the second inning, hitting his team leading second home run of the season to center field.
The Brewere were able to silence the Kansas City at least for the next few innings, but the Royals finally put a six spot up in the seventh inning, starting with Salvador Perez hitting his first home run of the season to left field. Following the home run, Massey and MJ Melendez singled, while Mark Canha walked to load the bases, forcing a pitching change by Milwaukee.
But new reliever Grant Anderson would not fare much better, walking Garcia to bring home Massey for another Kansas City run. After that, a single by India brought home Melendez and Canha, before Witt Jr singled to drive in Garcia. The scoring in the inning ended on a groundout by Pasquantino that drove India across home plate, extending the Royals lead to 10-0.
Angel Zerpa replaced Royals starter Kris Bubic to start the bottom half of the seventh inning. It was Bubic's first start of the season, and first start since 2023 after coming out of the bullpen last year. In the start Bubic put together the first Kansas City quality start of the year, earning the win, pitching six innings, striking out eight and walking two, and giving up three hits.
Zerpa did surrender the lone Brewers run of the game in the inning. Pinch hitter Isaac Collins led off the inning with a double, and two batters later was driven in on a double by Jackson Chourio. Kansas City answered the run in the ninth inning, an RBI single by Cavan Biggio that scored Canha.
India led the way hitting for the Royals in the win going 3-5 with 2 RBIs and two runs scored. Witt Jr (2-5, 1 RBI), Massey (2-4, 1 RBI), and Perez (2-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI) were next on the team.
Kansas City is back in action against Milwaukee tomorrow. Michael Lorenzen will make his season debut while the Brewers have yet to announce their starter. First pitch will be at 6:40pm with pregame coverage at 6pm on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
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