Kyle Farnsworth couldn’t hold down a 2-1 lead in the 8th inning.  His 2-1 fastball over the plate was sent out to deep left center field by Jim Thome for a three run homer as the Royals drop their season opener 4-2.

Gil Meche was in line for the win after going seven strong innings.  At one point, he retired 10 straight Sox.  Meche gave up seven hits, but didn’t walk a batter and struck out six.  Meche gave up his lone run in the second inning after Alex Gordon put the Royals on top 1-0 with a home run.

The Royals had a chance to blow the game open in the 5th inning after they loaded the bases off Sox starter Mark Buehrle with nobody out.  Mike Jacobs was hit by a pitch after a lead-off double from Mark Teahen and a single from Jose Guillen.  The Royals only scored one after Billy Butler hit into a force out at home, and Gordon hit into a force at second.  With runners on first and third, Miguel Olivo struck out swinging.

Kyle Farnsworth for his career has always been an up and down pitcher.  He’s got amazing velocity, but his control has been a problem.  Case in point in the 8th.  With two runners on, Farnsworth fell behind Thome 2-0.  He then painted the outside corner to move the count to 2-1, but after Olivo called for a pitch down and away, Farnsworth left it up and Thome drilled it to left center.

Bobby Jenks came on and closed it out in the 9th for the save.