The last time the Royals lost a home opener, boos rained down on Kauffman Stadium in the first inning.
In 2012, Luke Hochevar was knocked around for seven runs in the first by the Indians, and the Royals made enough misplays around him to hear the jeers before the end of the inning.
No such ugliness at Kauffman Stadium on Monday, but the loss hurt nonetheless to starting pitcher Ian Kennedy.
The Royals fell to the A’s 2-0. Kennedy pitched well, a quality start in the baseball glossary, with two runs allowed over six innings while striking out four and walking two.