Royals open series vs. Guardians with 4-2 win

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on Apr 6, 2026

Published in Baseball

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CLEVELAND — The Kansas City Royals needed a quality start.

After a tough home series against the Milwaukee Brewers, the bullpen was taxed coming into Monday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians.

Royals starter Michael Wacha answered the call — with some help. Wacha allowed one earned run in six innings as the Royals won 4-2 over the Guardians at Progressive Field.

It was his first start in eight days. Last week, the Royals pushed Wacha due to illness, which granted him additional rest.

That paid off against the Guardians.

Wacha was efficient in the strike zone. He navigated the Cleveland lineup primarily with his four-seam fastball, changeup and cutter. The heater registered 10 of 12 first-pitch strikes and generated 14 swings, per Statcast.

The Guardians didn’t have many chances. All-Star outfielder Steven Kwan hit a solo homer in the third, but Wacha limited the damage. He worked out of trouble in the fourth and sixth innings, thanks in large part to his defense.

Royals record rare double play

The Royals pulled off a rare 5-6-4-3 double play to end the fourth. Guardians designated hitter Rhys Hoskins lined a ball off Maikel Garcia’s glove. The baseball trickled over to Bobby Witt Jr., who fired to Jonathan India for an out at second.

India then threw to first and got Hoskins in time. The defensive play kept the score tied at 1-1 — and more importantly kept Wacha’s pitch count manageable.

In the sixth, Vinnie Pasquantino added another double play. He caught a line drive off Kyle Manzardo’s bat and threw to Witt to pick off Chase DeLauter at second.

Both defensive plays kept the Guardians off the scoreboard.

Carter Jensen redeems himself

The Royals built their offense behind India and Jensen.

Jensen finished 2 for 4. He hit the go-ahead homer in the sixth inning off Guardians reliever Peyton Pallette, just days after a gaffe took him out of the lineup back at home.

India added key insurance runs in the eighth inning. He hit a two-run homer over the left-field wall — his second of the season — and finished with three RBIs.

The Royals improved to 5-5. They bested Guardians starter Tanner Bibee, who entered with a career 3.19 ERA in eight starts against the Royals.

Bibee allowed just one earned run in 4 2/3 innings, but Cleveland dropped to 6-5.

Wacha won his first game of the 2026 season. The Royals’ bullpen allowed a run as Brayan Rocchio hit a solo homer in the eighth. However, Lucas Erceg shut the door with his third save of the year.

What’s next

Royals left-hander Noah Cameron (1-0, 1.80 ERA) will start opposite the Guardians’ Gavin WIlliams (1-1, 2.25 ERA) on Tuesday afternoon at Progressive Field. First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m. ET.

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