Volquez shines in Royals debut; KC sweeps White Sox

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Edinson Volquez dazzled for eight innings in his Royals debut, Lorenzo Cain made a pair of spectacular catches after driving in a run, and Kansas City beat the Chicago White Sox 4-1 Thursday to finish a season-opening sweep.

Royals left fielder Paulo Orlando hits a triple for his first major league hit. (Photo courtesy Chris Vleisides)

Salvador Perez added a two-run homer, Kendrys Morales also drove in a run and the AL champion Royals improved to 3-0 for the first time since an opening sweep of Detroit in 2008.

Volquez (1-0) allowed four hits, including Alexei Ramirez’s RBI single, in validating the $20 million, two-year deal he signed in the offseason. Volquez struck out five while walking one.

Greg Holland worked a perfect ninth for his second save in less than 24 hours.