Angels Fall To Royals, 2-1, On Walk-Off Home Run By Kila Ka'aihue

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.

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.

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.

For more news and information on the Angels or tonight's game, be sure to read Halos Heaven.

Haren, Angels Look For Second Win In Kansas City Against Royals

The Los Angeles Angels got their season off to a good start on Thursday with an opening day win in Kansas City. They hope the formula of very good starting pitching plus a few home runs will work again tonight as they face the Royals in game number two at Kauffman Stadium. Dan Haren gets the call tonight for the Angels, and he will be opposed by Jeff Francis, the former Colorado Rockie who has batted shoulder injuries the last three seasons.

Haren was great after joining the Angels last year at the trade deadline, with a 2.87 ERA in 14 starts. However, he was plagued by low run support, as the Angels scored three runs or less in nine of his 14 outings. Haren's record with the Angels was 5-4. Haren pitched a career-high 235 innings last year, his sixth straight season of at least 216 innings. Haren's 1,343 innings since the beginning of 2005 are the second-most in baseball, eight frames behind CC Sabathia.

Haren will look to follow in Jered Weaver's footsteps tonight. Weaver pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings in yesterday's win, striking out six while allowing just four baserunners. You may have noticed a quirk in yesterday's broadcast about Kauffman Stadium: the Royals moved the home bullpen from right field to left field.

Tonight's 5:10 p.m. game will be televised by KCOP channel 13.

For more news and information on the Angels or tonight's game, be sure to read Halos Heaven.