Angels fall to Kansas City, 9-2

KEY MOMENT: The three consecutive singles in the second inning allowed by C.J. Wilson and the error by third baseman David Freese later in the inning doomed the Angels, helping to put them in a 4-1 hole. Wilson gave up four runs on four hits in the second.

AT THE PLATE: Albert Pujols went two for three with a home run in the first inning. Pujols has 522 home runs in his career, moving him to 18th on the major league’s all-time home run list. After going 0 for 3 against the Royals, C.J. Cron remains hitless on the season at 0 for 13. Taylor Featherston made his major league debut at second base Sunday. He went 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

ON THE MOUND: The Angels had problems against Royals right-hander Yordano Ventura (2-0), who allowed four hits and two runs before he left with a cramp in his right calf after pitching 5 2/3 innings. He struck out seven. The Royals’ bullpen shut down the Angels the rest of the way, allowing just one hit.

ON THE BASES: Pujols doubled in the sixth inning and later tried to steal third base. But he was thrown out for the second out in the inning.

INJURY UPDATE: Leadoff batter Kole Calhoun didn’t play Sunday because of what Angels Manager Mike Scioscia called a “tight” right calf. “We’re going to take this precautionary day and make sure he gets better,” Scioscia said. “I think he’s been nursing it for a couple of days.”

UP NEXT: Right-hander Matt Shoemaker (1-0, 4.50 ERA) will face Rangers left-hander Ross Detwiler (0-1, 10.38) at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, on Monday at 5 p.m. PDT. On the air: TV: FS West. Radio: 830.