CLEVELAND — Fans were back at Progressive Field on Monday.
The Cleveland Indians offense, however, is yet to follow.
Playing in front of fans at its home stadium for the first time since 2019, the Indians offense managed just three hits and failed to score a single run as Cleveland (1-3) lost its 2021 home opener 3-0 to the Kansas City Royals (3-1). Whit Merrifield batted in all three runs for the Royals, two of which came on a second-inning home run off of Indians starter Logan Allen.
With the loss, Cleveland falls to 1-3 on the season, having scored two runs or fewer in each of its three losses. What follows is a running live blog of Monday's game complete with highlights and analysis of the Indians' home opener:
End of game: Royals 3, Indians 0
Jesse Hahn comes in to close for Kansas City and promptly surrenders a lead off walk to Cesar Hernandez and a single to Jose Ramirez to bring the tying run to the plate with no outs. Eddie Rosario proceeds to hit into a double play and Franmil Reyes grounds out to end the game.
Middle of 9th: Royals 3, Indians 0
Hanser Alberto strikes out and Kyle Isbel grounds out before Nicky Lopez and Whitt Merrifield each walk. James Karinchak comes into the game and strikes out Andrew Benintendi to end the half-inning.
End of 8th: Royals 3, Indians 0
Roberto Perez grounds out, a pinch-hitting Jake Bauers flies out, as does Ben Gamel, as the Indians are down to their final three outs.
Middle of 8th Royals 3, Indians 0
Jorge Soler stikes out, Salvador Perez flies out and Michael Taylor gets caught trying to turn a single into a double to end the inning.
End of 7th: Royals 3, Indians 0
Franmil Reyes grounds out, Amed Rosario grounds out and Josh Naylor flies out for a 1-2-3 inning.
Middle of 7th: Royals 3, Indians 0
Ryan McBroom walks and Nicky Lopez moves him to third with a single. Whit Merrifield brings in his third run of the day with a sacrifice fly with Andrew Benintendi and Carlos Santana flying out to end the half-inning.
End of 6th: Royals 2, Indians 0
Cesar Hernandez flies out to deep right, Jose Ramirez grounds out and Eddie Rosario strikes out swinging to end the inning.
Middle of 6th: Royals 2, Indians 0
Triston McKenzie into the game for Logan Allen.
McKenzie strikes out Salvador Perez and Jorge Soler before walking Michael Taylor. Hanser Alberto lines out to a diving Amed Rosario to end the half-inning.
End of 5th: Royals 2, Indians 0
Roberto Perez lines out, and Yu Chang and Jordan Luplow each pop out to first to end the inning.
Middle of 5th: Royals 2, Indians 0
Whit Merrifield grounds out to second, Andrew Benintendi lines out and Carlos Santana grounds out to third to complete the 1-2-3 inning.
End of 4th: Royals 2, Indians 0
Jose Ramirez strikes out looking and Eddie Rosario flies out to center. Franmil Reyes reaches second on a two-out double to left and Amed Rosario walks to put two on. Josh Naylor is unable to take advantage, hitting a hard line out to left field.
Middle of 4th: Royals 2, Indians 0
Hanser Alberto reaches on a lead off single but gets caught stealing by Indians catcher Roberto Perez. Ryan McBroom strikes out and Nicky Lopez grounds out to end the inning.
End of 3rd: Royals 2, Indians 0
Roberto Perez strikes out and Yu Chang lines out before Jordan Luplow reaches on a 2-out walk. The inning comes to an end when Cesar Hernandez strikes out swinging.
Middle of 3rd: Royals 2, Indians 0
Salvador Perez grounds out and Jorge Soler and Michael Taylor each fly out for a 1-2-3 inning.
End of 2nd: Royals 2, Indians 0
Eddie Rosario pops out and Franmil Reyes lines out before Amed Rosario reaches on a single to right field. Josh Naylor, however, is unable to take advantage, striking out to end the inning.
Middle of 2nd: Royals 2, Indians 0
Hanser Alberto flies out and Ryan McBroom strikes out before Nicky Lopez reaches first on an infield single. Whit Merrifield takes advantage, hitting a 2-run home run to left field. After an Andrew Benintendi single, Carlos Santana grounds into a force out to end the inning.
End of 1st: Indians 0, Royals 0
Jordan Luplow reaches first on a leadoff walk but is followed by a Cesar Hernandez fly out and Jose Ramirez double play to end the inning.
Middle of 1st: Indians 0, Royals 0
Whit Merrifield reaches base on a leadoff single and advances to second on an Andrew Benintendi ground out. Carlos Santana grounds out but Salvador Perez and Jorge Soler each walk to load the bases. Logan Allen, however, avoids any damage by striking out Michael Taylor to end the half-inning.