CLEVELAND (AP) — Danny Duffy pitched six innings of two-hit ball to beat a longtime nemesis and Whit Merrifield drove in all of Kansas City’s runs with a homer and sacrifice fly, leading the Royals over the Cleveland Indians 3-0.
The Indians played their home opener in front of fans for the first time since 2019. The announced attendance was 8,914. The Indians are allowing 30% of ballpark capacity. Last season, fans couldn’t attend due to the COVID-19 pandemic and health protocols. Merrifield hit a two-run homer off starter Logan Allen in the second and added a sacrifice fly in the seventh. The Indians managed just three hits.