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Royals Win Home Opener

Beth Lipoff
/
KCUR

Seven games into their 2013 baseball season, the Kansas City Royals have a winning record for the first time. The home opener against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium took a dramatic turn late in the game.

Unlike last year when the Royals gave up seven runs in the first inning of the home opener, they kept the game close.  Down 1-0 in the eighth, Lorenzo Cain doubled and scored in an inning that produced all the Royals' runs in their 3-1 victory.

"It's always a good feeling, you know?" said Cain.  "Last year didn't go as well as this year, so we definitely changed that up.  We got a victory and that's all that matters."

More than 40,000 attended the game and Royals All-Star Billy Butler didn't want to leave them disappointed.

"It was exciting," said Butler.  "It was a great game.  You could tell the fans were having a great time and it was just a well-played ballgame.  We put on a show late for them."

Not since 2008 have the Royals won a home opener.

Game two of the three-game series against the Twins takes place tonight.

Sports have an economic and social impact on our community and, as a sports reporter, I go beyond the scores and statistics. I also bring the human element to the sports figures who have a hand in shaping the future of not only their respective teams but our town. Reach me at gregechlin@aol.com.
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