Johnny Cueto could not have scripted a better introduction to the Kansas City fans.
Cueto threw a four-hitter in his home debut as the Royals beat the Detroit Tigers 4-0 on Monday night.
Cueto
(1-1) did not allow a runner past second base, struck out eight and
walked none. It was his sixth career shutout and second this season.
"The
crowd really gave me an extra boost," Cueto said with catching coach
Pedro Grifol acting as his interpreter. "This is the most I've felt from
a crowd; the intensity is by far the most.
"I felt really proud the fans were just feeding me that last little boost of energy I needed."
Cueto,
who was acquired from Cincinnati on July 26 for three pitching
prospects, received a loud cheer as he went out for his warmup pitches
and the standing ovations grew after every scoreless inning as he walked
to the dugout.
Cueto struck out Anthony Gose on three pitches to begin the game as the festive Kauffman Stadium crowd roared with approval. Sluggerr, the Royals' mascot, appeared wearing a Cueto-esque mane of dreadlocks.
When
Cueto came out for the ninth, the Kauffman Stadium announced crowd of
36,672 rose in unison with a deafening roar that did not stop until long
after he retired Victor Martinez on a fly ball to right fielder Alex
Rios for the final out.
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