Angels take 5-0 lead on Royals after eight innings
An infield single by Peter Bourjos broke a scoreless tie in the eighth inning, and Erick Aybar promptly cleared the bases with a three-run double to right field as the Angels have seized a 5-0 lead over the Kansas City Royals on opening night at a sold-out Anaheim Stadium.
In a scoreless tie dominated by Angels ace Jered Weaver’s 10 strikeoutrs, the Angels rallied in the eighth off reliever Aaron Crow, who struck out Howie Kendrick, Albert Pujols and Torii Hunter in the seventh.
The eighth was started by a one-out single from Kendrys Morales, his first hit since fracturing his ankle jumping on home plate after a walk-off home run in Anaheim Stadium in May 2010.
Mark Trumbo, atoning a bit for two errors in the game, then lined a single to center, and catcher Chris Iannetta singled to left. Third-base coach Dino Ebel held Angels pinch-runner Alexi Amarista at third for Bourjos.
That caused the Royals to summon reliever Greg Holland.
Bourjos hit a slow roller to Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar, who couldn’t glove it cleanly with speedy pinch-runner Alexi Amarista running from home. The official scorer ruled the play a single.
Following the Aybar double and an intentional walk to Albert Pujols (0 for 3 tonight), Torii Hunter sliced an RBI single to right field.
RELATED:
Angels, Royals underway as Albert Pujols’ era begins
Richards, Williams still battling for final rotation spot
Angels defeat Dodgers, 8-3, in Freeway Series finale
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
