Vargas, Royals top Angels
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Anaheim, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Jason Vargas pitched six effective innings and Lorenzo Cain drove in two runs in Kansas City's 4-2 win over the Angels in a rematch of last season's American League Division Series.
Kendrys Morales homered against his former team and the reigning AL champions moved to 4-0 for the first time since 2003 when they won their first nine games of the season.
Vargas (1-0) allowed five hits and a pair of runs while fanning three. Jason Frasor and Kelvin Herrera each pitched a scoreless frame to bridge the gap to Wade Davis. The closer struck out three batters in the ninth to pick up his first save.
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"Jason threw great. He executed his pitches and kept them off-balance. Defense is a big part of our game and it was tonight," Royals manager Ned Yost said.
Hector Santiago (0-1) gave up six hits and three runs over 5 1/3 innings for the Angels, who won their final two contests of a season-opening series at Seattle.
"Hector struggled with his first 50 pitches, then he found his rhythm," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He used a lot of pitches early, but he'll be better next time."
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Cain singled to center to drive in Alcides Escobar in the fifth to give KC a 2-1 edge.
Morales then homered to left-center to lead off the sixth before David Freese went deep in the bottom of the frame.
Johnny Giavotella struck out swinging to strand pinch-hitter Matt Joyce, who doubled in the home seventh.
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Freese grounded out with a runner in scoring position in the eighth and the Royals tacked on a run in the ninth when Fernando Salas walked Cain with the bases full.
Game Notes
The Angels, who were swept in last year's ALDS, fell to 23-32 in home openers ... The Royals were 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position.