Edinson Volquez must have gotten tired from all the times he tipped his cap.

He certainly didn’t labor much on the mound.

Volquez dazzled over eight innings in his Royals debut, and Kansas City’s defense made a series of spectacular plays behind him in a 4-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday that finish off a season-opening three-game sweep.

“Unbelievable,” said Volquez, who allowed one run on four hits in his first start since signing a $20 million, two-year deal with the Royals in the offseason. “We have the best defense in baseball right now. It gives you a lot of confidence.”

Lorenzo Cain made two dramatic catches while running into the center field wall. Third baseman Mike Moustakas made a diving snare of a hot ground ball. And second baseman Omar Infante snared a line drive before turning an inning-ending double play.

“We got some great defensive plays,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.

Some great offense, too. Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer, and Cain and Kendrys Morales also drove in runs, helping the AL champions improve to 3-0 for the first time since a season-opening sweep of Detroit in 2008.

Greg Holland worked a perfect ninth for his second save.

“They play the game hard. White Sox center fielder Adam Eaton said. “They’re stealing bags. Lorenzo Cain making plays. Perez is throwing guys out. They’re a solid team.”