Kansas City Royals win in Toronto despite missing 10 unvaccinated players

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The Kansas City Royals were as short-handed as a Major League Baseball team could be, missing 10 players Thursday night due to Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. 

The Royals still found a way to get by, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 in the first game of a four-game series north of the border. 

Kansas City Royals Catcher Sebastian Rivero (48) and Pitcher Scott Barlow (58) celebrate the win after the regular season MLB game between the Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays on July 14, 2022 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON.  (Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Royals became front-page news this week after it was reported that 10 unvaccinated players would be unable to make the trip to Toronto. In order for a foreign national to enter Canada, proof of the COVID-19 vaccine is required. 

ROYALS WITHOUT 10 PLAYERS IN SERIES AGAINST BLUE JAYS DUE TO VACCINATION STATUS 

Angel Zerpa went five innings for Kansas City, allowing just one earned run on four hits to earn his first win as a big leaguer. 

"Every time we've seen him he looks like a top-shelf starter," Royals manager Mike Matheny said. "He came in today against an all right-handed lineup that's a very potent lineup and kept making good pitches all the way through. It was just a great display of pitching."

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Kansas City launched two home runs on the night, including a ninth-inning shot from Nate Eaton who was making his Major League debut. 

Kansas City Royals Short Stop Bobby Witt Jr (7) attempts to complete a double play in the fifth inning as Toronto Blue Jays Catcher Danny Jansen (9) slides into second base