The Royals player is happy after hitting his first home run. :39
The Kansas City Royals overcame the absence of 10 unvaccinated players to beat the Toronto BlueJays.
The win was one of the best of the year, according to manager Mike Matheny.
The Royals won for the fifth time in six games on the strength of a home run by a new member of the team.
Foreign nationals who are not up to date on their vaccinations are not allowed to enter Canada. Baseball players on the restricted list are not paid and don't accrue major league service time.
All-Star outfielder Andrew Benintendi, two-time All-Star Whit Merrifield, future cornerstone Kyle Isbel and outfielder Michael A Taylor were among the 10 players who stayed home.
First baseman Hunter Dozier, right-handed starters Brad Keller and Brady Singer, and pitcher Dylan Coleman were all banned.
"We just follow the rules that are given to us," he said. It isn't how we would design it, but it is where we are.
Infielder Nick Pratto and outfielder Brewer Hicklen were recalled by the Royals. They were called back from Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
The starting lineup for the game was as follows: first base, Pratto; center field, Rivero; and catcher, Zerpa, who allowed one run and four hits, walked two and struck out two.
He looks like a top-shelf starter every time we see him. He came in against a very potent lineup and kept making good pitches. It was a great display of throwing.
Scott Barlow finished for his 16th save in 18 chances after handling the eighth and ninth.
His mother and brother were sitting behind the Royals' first baseman's bench, giving them a good view of his home run.
The only sound I could hear was my mother screaming. It was really nice. The people that have been there my entire life have sacrificed a lot for me to get here. I would not have been here without them. It's pretty cool to make them proud.
Kevin Gausman started for the first time in over a month after taking a line drive off his ankle. Gausman gave up two runs and 7 hits. He had two walks and six strikeouts.
John Schneider said it was great to get him back out there. We like what we saw. It was the same as always. There were a few bad pitches.
Edward Olivares was thrown out trying for a double after he scored on a double by Nicky Lopez in the fifth. Witt has 13 home runs.
Toronto's Matt Chapman hit a home run in the bottom half, his 14th, but the two-run cushion was restored by a pair of homers in the ninth by the same player.
Royals pitching coach Cal Eldred did not go. Scott was brought along to help the staff.
The AP contributed.
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