A home run and sacrifice fly from Carter Jansen helped the Kansas City Royals avoid a sweep Sunday, Mar. 29, leading them to a 4-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park.
Jansen’s first home run of the year came in the fourth inning, on a three-one fastball from Grant Holmes. That made the score 2-0, as Bobby Witt Jr brought in the game’s first run an inning earlier with a line drive to right field. Witt scored on Jansen’s sacrifice fly in the eighth, while Vinnie Pasquantino singled home Nick Loftin in the fifth. Atlanta’s only run came on a solo home run in the eighth inning by Drake Baldwin.
Seth Lugo limited the Braves to five hits while fanning three, going six-and-a-third innings in his season debut. Lucas Erceg locked down his first save of the year by striking out one while allowing a hit. Holmes took the loss for Atlanta, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks in five innings while striking out four.
The Royals make their way back to KC with a 1-2 record, and will host their home opener Monday afternoon against Minnesota. Kris Bubic gets the start for KC, while the Twins send Simeon Woods Richardson to the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 3:10 p.m.; pregame coverage from the Royals Radio Network begins at 2:30 p.m. on KMMO AM 1300.