Manzardo became just the third MLB player to hit a double, triple and homer on opening day.
In Kansas City, Kyle Manzardo’s two-run double in the 10th inning matched the team’s record for most RBIs on opening day as the Cleveland Guardians claimed a 7-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals.
Manzardo joined Tris Speaker (1925) and Leon Wagner (1964) with four RBIs on opening day.
Manzardo also became the third MLB player with a double, triple and homer on opening day, joining Don Baylor (1973) and Gee Walker (1937).
The winning play started with Steven Kwan hitting a run-scoring double in the 10th inning. Later, with Kwan on third base, relief pitcher Sam Long deliberately walked Carlos Santana to load the bases, leaving it up to Manzardo who successfully brought in both runners.
Emmanuel Clase took the win and Paul Sewald earned the save.
Vinnie Pasquantino broke the scoreless tie with a three-run homer in the third for Kansas City.
The Guardians answered with a run in the fourth. Manzardo hit a one-out triple and Jhonkensy Noel drove him in with a sacrifice fly.
Cleveland added another run in the fifth inning, this time through a sacrifice fly. The team had two players on base with no outs, and Jose Ramirez managed to bring in Gabriel Arias for the second run of the inning.
Manzardo homered on the first pitch he saw in the sixth to give the Guardians a 4-3.
The Royals tied it at 4-all in the bottom of the ninth off Clase on Michael Massey’s sacrifice fly.
Key moment
The Royals had runners on first and third and no outs in the eighth, with the top of the order up. But Jonathan India hit into a fielder’s choice, resulting in a double play.
Key stat
Manzardo had 12 doubles, no triples and five home runs in 145 at-bats in his debut last season.
Up next
Gavin Williams of Cleveland is scheduled to face Seth Lugo for Kansas City when the clubs resume the three-game series on Saturday.
