Kansas City 4, Angels 2
KEY MOMENT: Kendrys Morales got a nice ovation during player introductions before the Angels’ home opener. He played for the Angels for six years, after all, and he was not part of the Royals team that swept the Angels out of the playoffs last October. No mercy on his part, though: He homered in the sixth inning, giving the Royals a 3-1 lead.
AT THE PLATE: David Freese hit a home run for the Angels, his second in 15 at-bats this season. His teammates have two home runs in 125 at-bats. Freese and Mike Trout each had two hits. Matt Joyce, a platoon player so far, came off the bench when the Royals went to the bullpen for a right-hander and delivered a double, his first extra-base hit as an Angel.
ON THE MOUND: Angels starter Hector Santiago needed 100 pitches to get 16 outs. He kept the Angels in the game, giving up three runs in 51⁄3 innings. Royals starter Jason Vargas retired the first seven batters and gave up two runs in six innings. The Angels’ first two errors this season: pickoff throws by relief pitchers — Vinnie Pestano and Mike Morin.
EXTRA BASES: Trout’s next home run will make him the second Angels player with 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases. The other: Darin Erstad. . . . Andrew Heaney pitched seven shutout innings Friday in his first start at triple-A Salt Lake. Heaney gave up two hits, walked none and struck out eight. . . . Santiago walked into the clubhouse and turned toward his locker. Or, at least, where his locker was last week, before the Angels moved him across the clubhouse. “I’ve got no pull in here,” he joked.
NEXT UP: Jered Weaver (0-1, 6.00) and the Angels face Jeremy Guthrie (0-0, 0.00) and the Royals on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Angel Stadium. TV: Fox Sports 1. Radio: 830, 1330.