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Angels fall to Royals, 7-4, in 13 innings

Kansas City Royals third baseman Danny Valencia, left, tags out Angels baserunner David Freese in a rundown between third and second base during the 10th inning of the Angels' 7-4 loss Saturday.
(Alex Gallardo / Associated Press)
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KEY MOMENT: After Danny Valencia led off the 13th inning with a double, the Royals decided to play for one run. Alcides Escobar laid down the sacrifice bunt, but rookie Mike Morin, the Angels’ sixth pitcher, made an errant throw. Valencia scored from second base with the go-ahead run, and the Royals scored twice more in the inning.

AT THE PLATE: Mike Trout and Erick Aybar each hit home runs, Trout for the second consecutive night. Aybar also doubled; he is batting .322 over his last 29 games.

ON THE MOUND: Matt Shoemaker pitched well enough in his fourth major league start. He went five innings and gave up three runs, two coming in an inning that included errors by left fielder Collin Cowgill and center fielder Trout. Shoemaker also gave up eight hits, seven of them singles, and struck out six. The Angels’ top two relievers, Joe Smith and Ernesto Frieri, pitched two innings apiece.

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REHAB REPORT: For the second straight night, Josh Hamilton was scratched from the triple-A Salt Lake lineup because of discomfort in his surgically repaired left thumb. Hamilton had hoped to rejoin the Angels on Monday, a timetable that now appears highly unlikely. He has not played a major league game since April 9.

WALKING MAN: Howie Kendrick walked 23 times last season and 20 times in the 2009 season. He drew his 20th walk this season on Saturday, two days before Memorial Day.

GOOOOOOOOAL: Trout worked out before the game wearing Ronaldo’s No. 7 jersey. Trout isn’t a huge soccer fan, but the Angels held a blind draw for a World Cup pool. Each player drew one country, and a corresponding jersey adorned each player’s locker Saturday. Trout drew Portugal.

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KERSHAW FAN: John McDonald, the veteran backup infielder, has a Clayton Kershaw jersey hanging in his locker. McDonald said he hopes to get Kershaw to autograph it when the Angels play the Dodgers in August. He bought a Felix Hernandez jersey for his memorabilia collection and hopes the Mariners ace will autograph it during the series that starts Monday in Seattle.

UP NEXT: The Angels’ Garrett Richards (4-1, 2.90 ERA) faces the Royals’ Jason Vargas (4-2, 3.76) on Sunday at 12:35 p.m. at Angel Stadium . TV: FS West. Radio: 830, 1330.

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