The Baltimore Orioles lose the pitchers' duel with Kansas City 1-0 in the opening game of the Wild Card Series

BALTIMORE – Top reliever Corbin Burnes pitched eight strong innings, but the Baltimore Orioles fell 1-0 to the Kansas City Royals in Game 1 of the best-of-three American League Wild Card Series on Tuesday at Camden Yards.

Cedric Mullins and Ramon Urias doubled for the Orioles but failed to score. Gunnar Henderson was stranded at third base for a potentially game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth.

Burnes allowed one run on five base hits in eight innings.

The Royals scored the game's only run on an RBI single by Bobby Witt Jr. in the top of the sixth inning. Witt was drafted second overall in the 2019 baseball draft after the Orioles selected Adleyrutschman.

Kansas City pitcher Cole Ragans threw six scoreless innings. He allowed just four base hits, no walks and struck out eight.

Game 2 begins Wednesday at 4:38 p.m. at Camden Yards. The Orioles must win to avoid elimination.

The winner of the series plays in a best-of-five series against the New York Yankees.