Kikuchi wins season debut against Royals as Blue Jays snap 3-game skid

Yusei Kikuchi and four relievers limited the Kansas City Royals to one run on four hits, and the Toronto Blue Jays snapped a three-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory in Whit Merrifield's return to Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday night.

Kikuchi (1-0) allowed one run on three hits and retired the side in order three times over his five innings. He was also helped by his defence, with left fielder Daulton Varsho throwing out Matt Duffy at the plate in the second inning.

Jordan Romano pitched a perfect ninth for his second save.

Kris Bubic (0-1) worked around trouble most of the night, only retiring the Blue Jays in order in the fifth, his last inning. He allowed two runs on seven hits and one walk. He was relieved by Carlos Hernandez, who yielded a home run to Varsho - his first as a member of the Blue Jays - on his first pitch.

Daulton does it ALL!<br><br>There's <a href="https://twitter.com/DaultonVarsho25?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DaultonVarsho25</a>'s first as a Blue Jay