Michael A. Taylor homered, drove in three runs and threw out two players at the plate from center field in a do-it-all debut for the Royals, as Kansas City beat Texas 14-10.
Each team scored five times in the first inning of a game that took 4 hours, 26 minutes. The first seven Rangers batters reached safely — on six hits and a walk — but Kansas City roared back to win with the help of home runs by Jorge Soler and Whit Merrifield. Kyle Isbel had three hits and two RBIs in his big league debut. Taylor, who spent his first seven seasons with Washington, had three hits and three RBIs. Merrifield also got three hits, scored twice and knocked in two.
Kansas City set a club record for runs on opening day, surpassing its previous high of 11 in 1979, as both pitching staffs struggled.
Brad Keller recorded his first out for Kansas City on his 30th pitch and was charged with six runs and nine hits in 1 1/3 innings. Carlos Hernandez (1-0) struck out five in three innings of two-run relief for his first career win.
The teams resume their series Saturday.
LHP Mike Minor returns to the Royals after spending the past three seasons with Texas and Oakland.