Top Ten Blue Jays’ Home
Openers
#8: 1989 vs Kansas City
Royals
 |
| Second baseman Nelson Liriano |
However, the game took place on
Friday, April 14, an afternoon game. The Jays had already played nine road
games to start the season and brought a 4-5 record into the game against the
6-3 Kansas City Royals. Jimmy Key was Toronto’s starting pitcher, while the
Royals countered with Charlie Liebrandt.
Both starting pitchers were
magnificent, both pitching shutouts through six innings. The Jays had chances
to score in both the second and third innings, but Liebrandt pitched out of the
jams. Meanwhile, Key had a no-hitter going after six, but lost it when he gave
up a leadoff hit in the top of the seventh. He gave up a second hit one batter
later but escaped the inning after a double play.
Jays’ first baseman Fred McGriff
led of the bottom of the seventh with a single. A sac bunt moved him to second.
Back up catcher Bob Brenly then walked and after a ground out, the Jays had
runners at second and third with two out. Second baseman Nelson Liriano came
through with a clutch two-out, two-run single and the Jays had a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the eighth,
Kelly Gruber led off with a single and stole second. A ground out by Jesse
Barfield moved him to third. Left-fielder George Bell grounded the ball to
Royals first baseman George Brett who threw to the plate in an attempt to get
Gruber. The Jays’ third baseman slid across the dish safely and the Jays had a
3-0 lead.
Key pitched a one-two-three
ninth for a two-hit shutout. Over his nine innings, he didn’t walk a batter and
struck out eight. Besides the two hits, Key only allowed one other base runner
and that was on an error he committed when he dropped the ball covering the bag
on a ground ball to first in the fourth inning.
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