Kansas City Royals' top pitching prospect and former first-round draft pick in 2018, Brady Singer showed guts, guile and gall as he went on the attack against the Cleveland Indians hitters at their ballpark in his major league debut.
Singer didn't factor into the decision, but he did help the Royals collect their first win of the season, a 3-2 extra-innings nail-biter against the Indians at Progressive Field on Saturday night.
Jorge Soler and Salvador Perez hit back-to-back first-inning home runs, and third baseman Maikel Franco, signed as a free agent this offseason, hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning to drive in the winning run. Per the new extra-inning rules, each team started the 10th inning with a runner on second base.
Ian Kennedy (two innings), Trevor Rosenthal, Scott Barlow and Greg Holland combined for five innings of scoreless relief. Barlow had the most clutch performance as he struck out back-to-back batters with the bases loaded in the ninth to force extra innings.
Singer struck out seven and allowed two runs on three hits and two walks in five innings. He left the game with the score tied 2-2.
The teams will play the rubber match of their season-opening three-game set on Sunday afternoon.
