Duda’s homer sinks Tribe

Lucas Duda homered off Trevor Bauer for the game’s only run and Ian Kennedy pitched six shutout innings, leading the Kansas City Royals to a 1-0 win over the Indians on Saturday in frigid, football-like weather conditions.

Duda’s shot in the seventh off Bauer (0-1) was one of only three hits by Kansas City and a rare highlight as the teams survived nine innings with the temperature hovering around freezing.

Kennedy (1-0) allowed four hits, walked none and struck out eight.

The right-hander was only in trouble once, but worked out of the sixth-inning jam. Blaine Boyer and Justin Grimm pitched an inning apiece before closer Kelvin Herrera worked a perfect ninth for his second save.

The temperature was 34 at game time, one degree above the coldest start to a game in the 25-year history of Progressive Field. Players on both teams bundled up, with several wearing hoods under their caps to try to stay warm.

Bauer matched Kennedy and then some, giving up just three hits and striking out six in eight innings.

But the Indians, who came in with an ALlow .157 batting average, stayed as chilly at the plate as this unseasonably cold April.

Limited to one hit through six innings by Bauer, the Royals took the lead on Duda’s second homer, a searing shot into the seats in right field.

Duda jumped on Bauer’s first pitch, a 90 mph fastball, and drove it over the wall for Kansas City’s first run since the Royals scored two in the first inning Friday.

Kennedy gave up a double to Francisco Lindor leading off the sixth, and with one out, Cleveland’s shortstop stole third before the Royals starter went into his windup. Kennedy, however, struck out Jose Ramirez and retired Michael Brantley on a fly ball to center.

Lindor singled to open the eighth, but Royals left fielder Jon Jay recovered after initially coming in on the ball to make a running catch on a drive by Jason Kipnis.

Bauer held the Royals without a hit through four innings before Alcides Escobar lined a single through the right side with two outs in the fifth.

Escobar stole second and took third on catcher Roberto Perez’s wild throw — Cleveland’s first error this season — before Bauer walked Alex Gordon. Kansas City’s center fielder then stole second but was stranded when Bauer struck out Drew Butera on a pitch that had crazy, late movement and caught the outside corner.

Trainer’s room

INDIANS» RHP Danny Salazar, on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis, has not been cleared to throw at full intensity in his bullpen sessions.

TONY DEJAK — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The Royals’ Alcides Escobar slides safely into second as Indians’ shortstop Francisco Lindor can’t get to the ball in the fifth inning. Escobar advanced to third on the throwing error by catcher Roberto Perez.