It was unclear if Pasquantino would play on opening day. Last Friday, he sustained a Grade 1 right hamstring strain in Cactus League play. The Royals monitored Pasquantino, who received treatment and later participated in on-field drills.

The Royals cleared Pasquantino hours before Thursday’s game. And in the third inning, Pasquantino delivered with a three-run homer against Guardians starter Ben Lively.

It would’ve been the highlight of opening day, if not for the Royals losing their early lead, then failing to capitalize in a crucial situation in the eighth. The Royals (0-1) lost in extras 7-4 to the Guardians (1-0) at Kauffman Stadium.

“Sucks losing,” Pasquantino said. “Didn’t do enough today. Get back out on Saturday.”

To get to that point, though, Pasquantino served as a catalyst for a ninth-inning rally. That’s when he hit a leadoff double off Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase to help the Royals tie the score.

“He looked great,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Pasquantino. “Clearly, we are not where we are without Vinnie. Three-run homer and a double off Clase. I thought he put a good swing on the ball he lined or flew out to left as well. So yeah, all in all, it was a really good day for him at the plate.”

Guardians designated hitter Kyle Manzardo fueled his team’s offense. He finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs. He homered in the sixth inning and added a triple and double. The Royals, outside of Pasquantino, struggled offensively.

Royals’ baserunning blunder

In the eighth inning, the Royals nearly ran themselves out of the game. New addition Jonathan India hit a ground ball to Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez. Going on contact, pinch-runner Dairon Blanco bolted home. He was caught in a rundown and tagged out.

Immediately after that tag, Royals outfielder Kyle Isbel was caught on the basepaths. He wandered too far off second and was tagged out as well.

The mistakes cost the Royals a chance to tie the score. However, Pasquantino found a way to extend the game with his late-inning double.

“I mean, that part of the game,” Quatraro said. “I wouldn’t classify them as mistakes. I mean, the baserunning, yes, we need to tighten that up. Those guys we know have a really good bullpen. … We didn’t do much in the middle innings and we need to keep pressing there to get back in the game.”

The Royals ultimately dropped the first game of the series to the Guardians. However, Pasquantino is expected to be a top run-producer and he proved it on opening day.

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Cole Ragans turns in uneven start

It wasn’t the best start for the Royals ace. The Guardians made Cole Ragans work throughout the game and it began with a 22-pitch first inning.

Ragans ran into early trouble. He inducted weak contact but it resulted in two singles and a bases-loaded situation. Ragans was able to avoid any significant damage and find a temporary groove.

“His stuff looked good,” Quatraro said. “You know, I think he lost his command there a little bit. He got into some deeper counts, and it’s an unfortunate way to start the game with the swinging bunt and the soft hit because his pitch count gets up in the 20s in the first inning. … That changes the whole dynamic of the whole game there.”

However, the Guardians knocked Ragans around later. In the fourth inning, Manzardo hit a triple and later scored on outfielder Jhonkensy Noel’s sacrifice fly. Ragans also was charged with an earned run in the fifth.

“I just didn’t execute a slider (to Manzardo),” Ragans said. “I threw a good one earlier in the at-bat and I just left it arm side.”

The final line: Ragans allowed three earned runs in five innings. He struck out three batters and issued two walks on 83 pitches. It was an uneven start for a player who figures to be a major piece of the Royals this season.

What’s next: The Royals are off Friday before continuing their three-game series against the Guardians on Saturday afternoon. All-Star starter Seth Lugo will make his 2025 debut against Cleveland right-hander Gavin Williams.