The Kansas City bats were held in check by the Atlanta pitching staff Friday night, as the Royals fell to the Braves 6-0 to open the 2026 season.
Royals starter Cole Ragans ran into trouble early, giving up a solo homer to Ozzie Albies in the bottom of the first. Drake Baldwin made it 2-0 in the third with another solo blast.
Michael Harris II connected on a two-run bomb in the fourth to add to the Atlanta lead. Ragans would exit the game after four innings, giving up four runs on six hits and four walks with five strikeouts. Bailey Falter pitched the next three innings in relief, allowing another two runs.
Meanwhile, Atlanta starter Chris Sale had no trouble with Kansas City’s lineup, only allowing three hits in six scoreless frames.
The Royals only recorded five hits, two from Bobby Witt Jr., and one each from Maikel Garcia, Lane Thomas, and Salvador Perez.
Kansas City will be back in action Saturday evening. Michael Wacha is expected to start for the Royals against Reynaldo Lopez. Pregame coverage will begin at 5:30, with first pitch at 6:15 on KMMO AM 1300.
The St. Louis Cardinals are also back in action today to continue its series with the Tampa Bay Rays. Michael McGreevy is on the bump for the Redbirds. First pitch from Busch Stadium is at 1:15 p.m.