Soler hits 48th HR, Royals beat Twins in Yost's last game. Jorge Soler locked up the AL home run crown with his 48th homer, Brett Phillips drove a game-ending sacrifice fly in the ninth inning and the Kansas City Royals beat the Minnesota Twins 5-4 Sunday in manager Ned Yost's final game. 1969–1979: Taking Off. The Royals began play in 1969 in Kansas City, Missouri.In their inaugural game, on April 8, 1969, the Royals defeated the Minnesota Twins 4–3 in 12 innings. The Royals went 69–93 in their first season, highlighted by Lou Piniella, who won the AL Rookie of the Year Award.