The San Francisco Giants played their first of 81 regular season home games on Friday afternoon, falling 3-1 to the Kansas City Royals. Alex Cobb allowed just two runs over seven innings, but the offense mustered just five hits against Royals starter Brad Keller and three relievers. Joc Pederson’s ninth-inning triple was San Francisco’s lone extra-base hit, and he was unable to score as Kansas City closer Scott Barlow got a pair of strikeouts and help from former Giant Matt Duffy, who made a diving catch to snare a Thairo Estrada liner.
Rookie Blake Sabol’s RBI single in the second inning accounted for San Francisco’s only run. He also made a sliding, juggling catch in left field before being forced to move to catcher when Roberto Perez left the game with an injured arm. Vinnie Pasquantino homered in the top of the fourth to put the Royals back on top, and Salvador Perez provided Kansas City with an insurance homer in the eighth.
