By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
The Kansas City Royals begin the year 1-0 with a 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Opening Day at Kaufmann Stadium Thursday.
With the game tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the 8th, MLB’s top prospect and 21-year old Bobby Witt, Jr., hit a go-ahead double into left field for his first major league hit, giving the Royals their first lead at 2-1, scoring Michael A. Taylor, who reached on a leadoff walk.
Andrew Benintendi then scored Witt on an RBI single to center, giving Kansas City an insurance run. Hunter Dozier and Nicky Lopez also doubled in the game.
Scott Barlow pitched the final two innings and picked up the win in scoreless relief, striking out three batters.
Zach Greinke went 5.2 innings in his first start in a Royals uniform since September 2010.
The Royals play the Guardians again Saturday at 3:10 central. The game will be heard live on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3) in St. Joseph.
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