CLEVELAND GUARDIANS

Season opener rewind: Kansas City Royals beat Cleveland Guardians 3-1

Akron Beacon Journal

The Guardians dropped the first game under their new team name, falling to the Kansas City Royals 3-1 on Thursday.

Bobby Witt Jr., one of the game's top prospects who made the Royals' opening dayroster, broke a 1-1 deadlock with an RBI double off Triston McKenzie in the eighth inning. Witt then scored on Andrew Benintendi's single to increase the Royals' lead to 3-1.

The Guardians brought the potential go-ahead run to the plate in the ninth after Steven Kwan, who also had two walks, singled to right field for his first career hit in the major leagues. He was followed by Andres Gimenez, who also singled to right to put runners on the corners with two outs.

Scott Barlow then struck out Myles Straw to end the game.

Ace Shane Bieber allowed one run and struck out four in 4⅔ innings. He threw 72 pitches, which could be the norm for Guardians starting pitchers the first time through the rotation as pitchers continue to build toward their normal workloads. McKenzie, who is opening the season in the bullpen to give the Guardians some length as a reliever, allowed two runs in three innings.

"You know, the first two innings I thought he was really good," manager Terry Francona told reporters in Kansas City, speaking of McKenzie. "The last inning, I thought he was starting to — his stuff backed up a teeny bit, and also his command. We were kind of locked into where, we did this by design today, and we needed to let him keep pitching. It didn't work out the way he wanted to."

Amed Rosario drew the start in left field, but on a windy day in Kansas City ended up making a costly misplay with Bieber on the mound.

Francona after the game accepted blame for the miscue.

"That's a tough spot, and I feel bad," Francona said. "Our job is to put guys in a position where they can succeed. I feel like I missed that with him. He's a good kid. He'll be fine. I told Biebs, I said, 'That one's on me.' And that's how I felt.

Live updates from Opening Day

The Cleveland Guardians open the 2022 season this afternoon in Kansas City against the Royals. Both teams finished well out of contention in the American League Central Division a year ago.

Cleveland went 80-82 last season, going 40-41 both on the road at home. Kansas City went 74-88 in 2021, including 39-42 in home games.

Despite their tough seasons, the Guardians and Royals each featured a player in the top seven of American League MVP voting. Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez finished sixth and Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez placed seventh. Ramirez hit .266 with 36 home runs and 103 RBIs. Perez is coming off a 48-homer season, tying the Royals single-season record.

Check back here throughout the day for updates on the season opener from Beacon Journal Guardians beat writer Ryan Lewis. The teams headed into the eighth tied 1-1 Thursday before the Royals scored twice — with MLB top prospect Bobby Witt Jr. delivering the go-ahead hit for KC on a two-out, RBI double. Scroll below for more info on the game and on the Guardians heading into this season.

What time is the Guardians season opener?

Cleveland opens the season at the Kansas City Royals on Thursday, with first pitch scheduled for 4:10 p.m. EDT

How can I watch the Guardians season opener?

The Cleveland-Kansas City game is on Bally Sports Great Lakes. Pregame begins at 3:30

This is a 2022 photo of Shane Bieber of the Cleveland Guardians baseball team. This image reflects the Cleveland Guardians active roster as of Tuesday, March 22, 2022 when this image was taken.

Guardians-Royals pitching probables Thursday

Former Cy Young Award winners will match up. Cleveland starter Shane Bieber won the American League Cy Young in 2020. An injury derailed his season a year ago. Kansas City starter Zack Greinke won the 2009 AL Cy Young before moving on to the Brewers, Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Astros. This is his first year back with the Royals.