• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Royals down Angels for first win of 2012

Apr 8, 2012 - 12:27 AM Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Jeff Francoeur totaled two hits and two RBI as Kansas City won its first of the year with a 6-3 decision over the Angels in the middle test of this season-opening three-game series.

Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas both hit solo homers for the Royals, who were blanked 5-0 in the opener on Friday.

Luke Hochevar (1-0) lasted 6 1/3 innings, allowing five hits and two runs for his first career victory over Los Angeles.

"That's a good ballclub over there and not an easy lineup," Hochevar said. "I had to execute with quality pitches. I stayed within my plan."

Bobby Abreu drove in two runs and Vernon Wells knocked in the other for the Angels. Dan Haren (0-1) was saddled in the loss for 11 hits and five runs over 5 1/3 frames.

Hochevar was pulled for Tim Collins with runners on the corners and one out in the seventh, then Abreu's double and a Wells groundout reduced the hosts' deficit to 5-2. Alberto Callaspo fanned to end the threat with a man in scoring position.

Chris Getz then hit a leadoff double, stole third and scored on Halos catcher Bobby Wilson's errant throw.

Jonathan Broxton had immediate trouble in the ninth, as Kendrys Morales doubled and Torii Hunter reached on a bunt. But after Abreu's sacrifice fly brought in Morales, Wells grounded into a game-ending double play.

Francoeur's two-run single staked the visitors to a first-inning lead, and it was 3-0 in the second as Humberto Quintero led off with a double and eventually came to the plate on a Lorenzo Cain sac fly.

Albert Pujols doubled with one down in the fourth but was cut down at the plate on a Morales single.

Hosmer then started the fifth with a solo shot to right-center for a 4-0 margin, and Moustakas added a leadoff blast in the sixth to push the advantage to five.

"When you put balls up in the zone, it's a recipe for disaster," Haren admitted. "I just never really go into a rhythm."

Game Notes

Hochevar improved to 1-3 against the Angels, while Haren fell to 4-2 against the Royals...Haren fanned five and walked one in defeat, while his opponent struck out four and issued two bases on balls...KC's Greg Holland tossed a scoreless eighth.