By MATT PIKE
Michael Massey hit a go-ahead two-run home run, Isaac Collins also went deep and the Kansas City Royals pushed their winning streak to five games with a 5-3 victory over the AL Central-rival Cleveland Guardians at Kauffman Stadium.
Stephen Kolek allowed a three-run home run to Rhys Hoskins but little else over six innings in his season debut. The right-hander strained his oblique in his first start of spring training, but Kolek had pitched well in four rehab starts at Triple-A Omaha before the Royals had him make a spot start for Noah Cameron, who's dealing with some lower back tightness. Nick Mears and Daniel Lynch IV handled a scoreless inning apiece in relief for Kansas City, and Lucas Erceg worked around a two-out walk in the ninth to earn his third save in four games and 10th of the season.
The Royals jumped to a 2-0 lead on Salvador Perez's two RBI single in the first, scoring Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr who walked and doubled to start the inning respectively, but the Guardians pulled ahead in the fourth inning. With two runners aboard, Hoskins sent a 2-1 pitch from Kolek clanking off the left-field foul pole just above the outfield padding, driving in José Ramírez and Kyle Manzardo for a 3-2 lead.
Massey answered with his two-run home run in the bottom half of the inning though, bringing home Collins after he doubled in the previous at bat. The 392-foot drive off Williams' 2-2 pitch came moments after Guardians catcher Bo Naylor had challenged a called ball, which would have produced a strikeout had he been successful.
The final run of the game came when Collins added his home run in the sixth inning, giving him a 3-for-3 night, leaving him a triple short of the cycle.
Kolek earned the win in his season debut, improving to 1-0, pitching six innings and giving up three runs on four hits, while striking out three. At the plate, Collins led the way with his 3-for-3 night, driving in one run and also stealing a base. Massey was 2-for-3 with the home run and two RBIs, while Witt Jr was 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored.
Kansas City will continue the series with Cleveland, looking to clinch the series and extend their wins streak to six games. Cole Ragans (1-4, 5.29 ERA, 41K's) takes the mound for the Royals against Joey Cantillo (1-1, 3.67 ERA, 36K's) for the Guardians. First pitch is at 6:40pm, with pregame at 6 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
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