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Angels, Royals end four-game set in Kansas City

Apr 3, 2011 - 2:52 PM (Sports Network) - People say don't pay attention to spring training stats.

Hopefully Scott Kazmir heeds that advice this afternoon when he takes the hill for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the conclusion of a four- game season-opening series against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

Kazmir allowed a total of 19 runs (16 earned) in 21 2/3 exhibition innings and had an awful 10-to-13 strikeouts-to-walks ratio.

"When he does get a chance to put a hitter away, he's got to make a pitch," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia. "He's got the ability to do that, and I think he'll get there."

The horrific spring followed a 2010 season that saw him post the worst numbers of his career, as he went 9-15 with a 5.94 ERA.

"It all starts with commanding the ball," Scioscia added. "Last year, it was tough for him to find a release point to repeat pitches.

The Angels may actually need a solid effort from Kazmir if they are going to leave Kansas City with a series victory. After winning the season-opener on Thursday, the Halos' bullpen has let them down the last two games.

On Saturday, Matt Treanor and Chris Getz hit RBI singles in the bottom of the eighth, lifting the Royals to a 5-4 victory.

Kansas City scored the decisive runs off Kevin Jepsen (0-1) with two outs in the inning, and grabbed another victory thanks to late heroics. The Royals won Friday's matchup, 2-1, when Kila Ka'aihue led off the bottom of the ninth with a homer.

Getz finished with three hits and two RBI for Kansas City, while Aaron Crow (1-0) picked up his first career victory by tossing 1 2/3 scoreless relief innings. Joakim Soria threw a 1-2-3 ninth for his first save of 2011.

"It's been a whirlwind here the first few days here, but it's great to have an opportunity like this," Crow said. "Hopefully I'll stay around a long time and get a lot more (wins)."

Erick Aybar doubled twice and drove in a run for the Angels, who got a homer from Torii Hunter.

Los Angeles starter Ervin Santana limited the Royals to three runs in 6 2/3 innings, helping his team hold the lead after Kansas City's Kyle Davies gave up four runs in 5 1/3.

Through three games, Los Angeles starters have allowed 15 hits and four runs in 20 innings for an ERA of 1.80 -- and relievers have given up 10 hits and five runs in five innings.

In today's finale Kansas City will hand the ball to left-hander Bruce Chen, who led the Royals in 12 wins last season, while pitching to a 4.17 ERA. Chen, who had recorded just one victory from 2006-09, became the first Royals lefty to win 12 games in a season since Charlie Leibrandt (13) and Floyd Bannister (12) in 1988.

The Angels won seven of their 10 meetings with the Royals last season and are 17-6 in the last 23 matchups between the teams.