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Ka'aihue's walkoff homer lifts Royals over Angels

Apr 2, 2011 - 3:41 AM Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Kila Ka'aihue's leadoff homer in the bottom of the ninth lifted Kansas City over Los Angeles, 2-1, in the second of four between the clubs from Kauffman Stadium.

"All the emotions of all the firsts...they all have their special moments and this one's different," said Ka'aihue, who hit just .217 a season ago in 52 games.

Ka'aihue belted a low pitch over the wall in right field off Michael Kohn (0-1) for the Royals, who dropped a 4-2 decision in the season opener on Thursday.

"It was a fastball called away and it probably caught too much of the middle of the plate and he put a good swing on it," said Kohn on the game-deciding pitch.

The hit, on the second pitch of the inning, made a winner of Joakim Soria (1-0), who turned in a scoreless top of the ninth.

Howie Kendrick hit a first-inning homer for the Angels.

The only blemish on KC starter Jeff Francis' record was that solo shot which got the Halos on the board early. Francis allowed five hits and fanned four over seven full frames.

Jeff Francoeur's RBI groundout in the fourth tied the game off Angels starter Dan Haren, who allowed six hits and struck out six over seven innings.

In the home eighth, Jordan Walden came on for Haren and issued a leadoff walk to Mike Aviles, who stole second and moved up to third with two down when LA catcher Jeff Mathis airmailed his throw. However, Billy Butler fanned to end the threat.

Game Notes

Despite the setback, the Angels have won 20 of their last 27 games against the Royals over the last three-plus seasons...It was Ka'aihue's first round-tripper since last September 29 against Minnesota.