Kila Ka’aihue’s leadoff home run in the ninth inning gave the Royals their first victory of the season, a 2-1 win over the Angels on Friday night at Kauffman Stadium in front of a crowd of 13,302.

Ka’aihue hit an 0-1 pitch from Angels reliever Michael Kohn 393 feet into right field. Royals starter pitcher Jeff Francis called it the perfect way to end a ball game.

It wasn’t the best of starts for Francis who gave up a home run to Howie Kendrick in the first inning. A shot that traveled over 415 feet. Then Francis settled in going seven innings and getting 13 ground ball outs.

In the fourth, Billy Butler and Ka’aihue reached on singles and moved up on Angels starter Dan Haren’s wild pitch. Butler scored on a Jeff Francoeur grounded out to short, to tie the game at 1-1.