Kauffman Stadium looked like Disneyland for adults.
Unfortunately, once starter Zack Greinke left the game, all the Opening Day fun disappeared.
“They did it to me again,” said Independence resident and partial season-ticket holder Myron Paris. “Haven’t we seen this all before?
“It’s Opening Day, you’re all excited about seeing Greinke pitch and he leaves with a 4-2 lead and the bullpen comes in and allows what – six runs? – in one inning. Unbelievable.
“At least the food was good.”
Following the Detroit Tigers’ seventh-inning offensive outburst, a fan standing in the line at the new Stroud’s concession stand in left field, echoed Paris’ comment.
“I have a feeling this is going to be the best thing about today,” she said, as she was handed a plate of chicken and cinnamon roles.
A day that began with hope and promise ended with gloom and doom.
Royals reliever Roman Colon surrendered a walk and single to pinch-hitter Ramon Santiago.
Robinson Tejeda entered the game in relief of Colon and gave up back-to-back doubles by Austin Jackson and Johnny Damon, who collected two RBIs.
Miguel Cabrera stroked an RBI single and Juan Cruz entered the game for the Royals.
He gave up a single to Carlos Guillen and a two-run double to Brandon Inge.
“That inning was not fun to watch,” said Greinke, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner. “Not much good happened that inning.”
It spoiled what was otherwise a perfect Opening Day scenario.
“You always feel good on Opening Day, especially when you have someone like Zack on the mound,” said Royals Hall of Famer George Brett, who took part in a lavish pre-game ceremony that impressed just about everyone but Greinke.
“All the stuff before the game, I experienced it last year in Detroit,” said Greinke, after giving up just one earned run in six innings.
“This start really wasn’t that different from any other start – it was just Opening Day.”
One of the biggest rounds of applause Monday afternoon came after hometown hero and Blue Springs South grad David Cook, the American Idol winner, who sang the national anthem.
“I love it out here,” Cook said, as he enjoyed the game with members of his family. “It’s always a lot of fun to come to the stadium.”
