Kansas City starter Cole Ragans exited in the sixth inning of the Royals’ Friday home game against the St. Louis Cardinals due to left groin tightness.

The Royals’ Opening Day starter, Ragans left after allowing Masyn Winn’s line-drive single up the middle to open the sixth. Kansas City trailed 3-2 when Ragans came out, but the Cardinals boosted the advantage to 7-2 by the end of the half-inning.

Ragans, a 27-year-old left-hander, was charged with four runs while allowing five hits and striking out seven without a walk.

A first-time All-Star last season, Ragans missed a start earlier this month with a mild groin strain. He entered play Friday with a 2-2 record and a 4.20 ERA in eight starts this year.