Toronto Ends 3-Game Skid in Whit Merrifield's Return to KC

KANSAS CITY MO. (AP) - Yusei Kirkuchi and four relievers held the Kansas City Royals scoreless on four hits and Toronto Blue Jays ended a three game losing streak by winning 4-1 in Whit Merrifield’s return to Kauffman Stadium, on Tuesday.

Matt Chapman went 3-for-4 and had a double in Toronto's win. Merrifield scored and doubled in his first match back in the city he called home for seven years before being traded in August last year.

Kikuchi's (1-0) five innings saw him retire the side three times in a row. Daulton Varsho, left fielder, threw out Matt Duffy in the second inning.

Jordan Romano pitched an excellent ninth to earn his second save.

Kris Bubic (0-0) worked through the trouble for most of the evening, retiring the Blue Jays only in his final inning, the fifth. He gave up two runs, seven hits and a walk. Carlos Hernandez relieved him and Varsho hit a homerun on his first pitch.

Franmil Reyes put the Royals up in the second inning with his first hit as a Kansas City Royal, a 455-foot blast over the fountains left center. Reyes was 0-for-6 during his first two Royals games.

The Jays tied the game in the third inning. Bo Bichette, Vlad Guerrero Jr., and Chapman all hit consecutive singles. Chapman then drove in Bichette. Toronto scored another run in fourth. Merrifield started off by doubling down the left field line. He then went to third after a flyball, and scored when a wild pitch was thrown.

In the third of a four game series, the Blue Jays' RHP Alek Manoah (0-1, 13.50 ERA), will face Kansas City RHP Zach Greinke (1-0, 3.38 ERA). Manoah was given a no decision on the opening day of the series when the Blue Jays beat the Cardinals 10-9. Greinke gave up two runs and six hits over 5 1/3 innings, as the Royals fell to the Twins in the opening game.