The Kansas City Royals are a baseball team playing in Kansas City, Missouri.

Royals roll to shutout win in St. Louis, taking I-70 Series opener

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Behind a combined seven perfect innings tossed by Josh Staumont and Mike Mayers, the Kansas City Royals won a Memorial Day interleague matchup with the cross-state rival St. Louis Cardinals, claiming a 7-0 victory.

In a game that the Royals planned to use as a “bullpen contest”, Staumont made the first start of his big-league career, pitching the first inning and retiring the Cardinals 1-2-3, including a pair of strikeouts.  Mayers, a former Cardinal, took over in the second inning and retired 18 consecutive batters before third baseman Nolan Arenado lined a leadoff single in the bottom of the 8th inning.  Taylor Clarke wiggled out of a two-on, two out jam to keep the shutout intact, with Amir Garrett pitching a scoreless ninth.

In a game that saw the Royals flirt with the first-combined perfect game in MLB history, Nicky Lopez paced the Kansas City offense with a career high-tying four hits, with Nick Pratto and Vinnie Pasquantino each contributing three base knocks.  Mick Massey had a two-run homer with Bobby Witt Jr. adding a solo blast.

Adam Wainwright took the loss for St. Louis, allowing three runs and nine hits over five innings of work.

The Royals and Cardinals finish their two-game series on Tuesday night with a 6:40 first pitch from Busch Stadium.