Anaheim, CA (SportsNetwork.com) – Jason Vargas pitched six effective innings
and Lorenzo Cain drove in two runs in Kansas City’s 4-2 win over the Angels in
a rematch of last season’s American League Division Series.
Kendrys Morales homered against his former team and the reigning AL champions
moved to 4-0 for the first time since 2003 when they won their first nine
games of the season.
Vargas (1-0) allowed five hits and a pair of runs while fanning three. Jason
Frasor and Kelvin Herrera each pitched a scoreless frame to bridge the gap to
Wade Davis. The closer struck out three batters in the ninth to pick up his
first save.
Hector Santiago (0-1) gave up six hits and three runs over 5 1/3 innings for
the Angels, who won their final two contests of a season-opening series at
Seattle.
Cain singled to center to drive in Alcides Escobar in the fifth to give KC a
2-1 edge.
Morales then homered to left-center to lead off the sixth before David Freese
went deep in the bottom of the frame.
Johnny Giavotella struck out swinging to strand pinch-hitter Matt Joyce, who
doubled in the home seventh.
Freese grounded out with a runner in scoring position in the eighth and the
Royals tacked on a run in the ninth when Fernando Salas walked Cain with the
bases full.
Game Notes
The Angels, who were swept in last year’s ALDS, fell to 23-32 in home openers
… The Royals were 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
