Jeff Francoeur homered in his first game at Kaufmann, one of two major league stadiums he had yet to play in, and Mike Aviles hit a solo shot as well, but Luke Hochevar gave up two homers in the Royals’ 4-2 season opening loss to the Los Angeles Angels.
Hochevar was solid through the first three innings, allowing just one hit while striking out four. However, a lead off homer from Torii Hunter and back to back doubles gave L.A. a 2-0 lead in the fourth.
Jeff Mathis hit a solo homer in the sixth and the Angels added another run on a bunt single and error by Hochevar that moved a runner over to third.
Hochever went 5.2 innings with four runs, three earned and five strikeouts. The positive…no walks. Jared Weaver picked up the win going 6.1 innings while allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out six. The Royals finished with seven hits, while striking out a total of nine times.
