KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Cleveland Guardians won for the first time with their new name as hot-starting rookie Steven Kwan went 5 for 5 on Sunday in a 17-3 romp over the Kansas City Royals.
Oscar Mercado hit a grand slam during a five-RBI performance and Owen Miller drove in a career-high four runs. Cleveland had lost its first two games since changing this season to the Guardians from the Indians, its name since 1915.
Kwan had four singles and a double, was hit by a pitch and scored four runs. The 24-year-old outfielder made his major league debut on opening day and is 8 for 10 in three games so far, reaching base in 12 of 14 plate appearances.
Kwan hit .469 in spring training after batting a combined .301 in three minor league seasons.
Held to a total of one run while dropping the first two games of the series, Cleveland broke loose with 22 hits. José Ramírez, who homered and three hits, and Amed Rosario, who had four hits, each drove in three runs.
Mercado connected for his first career grand slam off Taylor Clarke in the first inning, capping a six-run burst. The Guardians made it 10-0 in the second and Mercado added an RBI triple in the fourth.
Ramírez and Miller each contributed three hits.
Pitching with a huge cushion, Cal Quantrill (1-0) tossed five innings and allowed two runs and four hits.
Kris Bubic (0-1) got just two outs and was tagged for five runs on three hits with two walks.
Royals rookie Bobby Witt Jr. hit a two-run double.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Royals: RHP Tyler Zuber (Right shoulder impingement syndrome) is the lone KC player on the injured list. He was put on the 60-day IL on March 16.
UP NEXT
The series will conclude with a Monday matinee. Aaron Civale will pitch for Cleveland against Carlos Hernandez.
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