Danny Duffy who went more than two years without a win over Cleveland, pitched six innings of two-hit ball to beat a longtime nemesis and Whit Merrifield drove in all of Kansas City’s runs with a homer and sacrifice fly, leading the Royals over the Indians 3-0 on Monday.
Duffy (1-0) came in with 12 career losses against the Indians — his most against any team. But the left-hander was in control from the outset and gave the Royals their best start of the young season.
Merrifield is the first Royals player to homer three times in the first four games, and his nine RBIs in the first four are a club record.
Scott Barlow pitched two perfect innings and Jesse Hahn put two on in the ninth before Royals first baseman Carlos Santana, who signed with the club as a free agent this winter after 10 seasons in Cleveland, made a diving stop on Eddie Rosario’s smash to start a double play.
A day off today before the series resumes Wednesday.