The Kansas City Royals lost their Opening Day game versus the Minnesota Twins 2-0 at Kauffman Stadium.

With anticipation built during the offseason with new pieces on the roster and new manager Matt Quatraro now leading the team, 38,351 fans packed the K on Thursday afternoon for a new season of Royals baseball.

For some, a chance to reminisce on the teams of yesteryear with a familiar face Zack Greinke on the rubber as the starting pitcher.

Perhaps some Opening Day jitters from the veteran right-hander as he loaded the bases in the top of the first inning, but with two outs he forced a groundout to end the threat.

The Royals had an opportunity to strike with loaded bases in the bottom of the fifth and only one out. However, right fielder MJ Melendez grounded into a double play with a slow dribbler to Twins first baseman Joey Gallo, who threw home for the second out and then back to first base for the final out.

In the top of the sixth inning, Twins designated hitter Byron Buxton hit a leadoff triple past a diving Kyle Isbel in center field. Minnesota wasted no time as left fielder Trevor Larnach brought Buxton home on an RBI single to center field.

Greinke’s day ended after 5.1 innings with Larnach occupying first base and the emotional, hot-headed left-handed reliever Amir Garrett entered the ballgame. Garrett has been very shaky in his brief stay in Kansas City and Thursday afternoon was no exception.

After he walked the first batter he faced, pinch hitter Donovan Solano roped an RBI single into left field to go up 2-0.

Fortunately, Garrett wouldn’t allow any more runs in the inning even with the bases loaded and one out. Garrett struck out former Royal Michael A. Taylor and right fielder Max Kepler flew out to right field.

The Royals’ offense was never a threat in the final handful of innings as the Twins’ bullpen, which had been a major problem a year ago, took care of business to secure the victory.

In his second career Opening Day start, Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. didn’t do much. He finished 0-for-2 with a pair of walks. Catcher and now captain Salvador Perez was also quiet going 1-for-4. He was named captain of the team before the game, which makes him the first Royals captain since 2007.

Kansas City had just two hits in the loss with 11 strikeouts and only eight batters reached base.

Twins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez got the win in 5.1 innings after he gave up both of those hits, struck out eight Royals and allowed three walks.

The bullpen combined for 3.2 innings and didn’t give up any hits, only two walks and a strikeout. Jhoan Duran, the right-handed closer, came into the game in the ninth inning and allowed a walk but got the save.

Greinke is credited with the loss after a solid outing in which he gave up two earned runs, six hits and just one walk while striking out four batters.

The Royals get Friday off before the series resumes at 3:10 p.m. on Saturday. The Twins will have right-hander Sonny Gray take the bump after an impressive 2022 campaign in which he finished with an 8-5 record and a 3.08 ERA.

As for the Royals, Jordan Lyles will lace up his cleats for his 13th season and his first for Kansas City. It’s his eighth team the veteran has played for in his career. Last season he started a career-high 32 games with a record of 12-11 with Baltimore. His ERA in 2022 was 4.42 in 179.0 total innings pitched. In spring training, he garnered a 1-1 record in five starts with a 3.52 ERA.

Pregame coverage starts at 2:30 p.m. on 92.1 FM KMZA from the Royals Radio Network.