Perez, Moustakas power Royals past Angels
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Salvador Perez and Mike Moustakas each homered and drove in two runs as the Kansas City Royals topped the Los Angeles Angels 7-1 on Friday night.
Perez had a sacrifice fly in the third inning and homered to right-center in the sixth off reliever Deolis Guerra, who was just brought up from the minors. Perez is tied for the American League lead with five home runs.
Moustakas hit a two-run homer, his fourth, in the first.
Left-hander Danny Duffy (2-0) picked up the victory, holding the Angels to one run and three hits over six innings while walking two and striking out six. Duffy is undefeated in 16 straight home starts.
Peter Moylan gave up a two-run single in the ninth to Albert Pujols, ending his 9 2/3 hitless inning streak dating to Sept. 23.
The Angels took a brief 1-0 lead in the first inning as Yunel Escobar led off with a single and Kole Calhoun walked. Mike Trout singled to center to score Escobar, but Calhoun was thrown out trying to take third.
The lead lasted only three pitches. Alex Gordon led off the bottom of the inning with a single and Mike Moustakas blasted J.C. Ramirez's first offering over the right-center fence.
In the second, Paulo Orlando singled to right with one out and Alcides Escobar walked. After Raul Mondesi bunted them over, Orlando scored on a wild pitch from Ramirez (2-1).
Moustakas walked to lead off the third and stopped at third on Lorenzo Cain's double that Calhoun misplayed. Eric Hosmer's ground out to Danny Espinosa scored Moustakas. Salvador Perez's sacrifice fly got Cain home, making it 5-1.
Ramirez, who was making his first big league start after 111 relief appearances, allowed five runs on four hits and two walks over five innings. He replaced the injured Garrett Richards in the rotation.
NOTES: The Angels promoted RHP Deolis Guerra from Triple-A Salt Lake and optioned Daniel Wright to the Pacific Coast League club. They transferred LHP Andrew Heaney, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, to the 60-day disabled list. ... Royals C Salvador Perez was honored in a pregame ceremony for 2016 Silver Slugger and Gold Glove awards. ... RHP Josh Staumont, the Royals' top prospect, struck out 12 in six scoreless innings, allowing one single and walking two in Triple-A Omaha's 3-0 victory over Round Rock on Thursday. ... Angels RHP Matt Shoemaker and Royals RHP Nate Karns are the Saturday probables.