Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. finished Thursday night’s game with a single, double, and a home run, just a triple away from the cycle. It helped the Jays to score five runs over the course of the sixth and seventh innings, but it wouldn’t be enough to help them overcome the deficit, as they fell 7-5 in their opening match of a three-game set with the Royals in Kansas City.  

The Royals would build up a 7-0 lead by the end of the fourth inning, sending starting pitcher Anthony Kay to the showers after just 3 1/3 innings. Kay allowed five runs, four earned, while striking out three. Tanner Roark took over, pitching 2 2/3 innings, striking out two and allowing two runs. Joel Payamps finished off the game for the Jays.  

The bats for the Jays combined for 10 hits in the game, with Guerrero, Jr. and Joe Panik hitting doubles. Panik’s double in the sixth inning drove in two runs.  

The Jays will be back in action Friday night as they continue their series with Kansas City. Steven Matz, who is 2-0 on the season with 13 strikeouts, will get the start for the Jays. You can catch all the action on Saskatchewan's Home of Blue Jays Baseball, AM1190, starting at 6:00 p.m.