TORONTO —Rookie shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. had two hits, including a home run, as the youth-infused Kansas City Royals opened up their series north of the border with a revamped roster and a victory despite a large chunk of their regular lineup left back in the United States.
The Royals beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 Thursday night in the first game of a four-game series in front of an announced 24,426 at the Rogers Centre.
Edward Olivares had three hits. Nicky Lopez had a double in a two-hit performance. Rookie Vinnie Pasquantino also had two hits, while Nate Eaton homered in his major-league debut.
Left-handed pitcher Angel Zerpa held the Blue Jays to one run in five innings in his first start in the majors this season.
The Royals played with a roster that included eight new faces who joined the team for the trip as 10 of their regulars were left behind due to Canadian travel restrictions that bar individuals from entering the country unless they’ve been vaccinated for COVID-19.
