Three of the Angels’ six runs against Royals starter Jeff Francis were unearned because of errors by shortstop Alcided Escobar and third baseman Mike Aviles as the Royals lost 14-6. In all, the Royals made five errors in the game, including two by Aviles and two by right fielder Lorenzo Cain, contributing to six unearned runs. They had just 12 errors in the previous 23 games.
In a game on the back fields, opening day starter Luke Hochevar pitched against the AAA team for the Texas Rangers and went 6.1 innings giving up nine hits and four runs (three earned). Among the hits was a two-run homer by Brad Nelson in the first inning. Hochevar threw 89 pitches, 60 were strikes.
