Royals Report: Angels Rough Up Ian Kennedy In 6-1 KC Loss

KC Royals Ian Kennedy suffered his first rough outing of the 2016 season, giving up five runs in six innings in a 6-1 loss to the Angels Monday night in Anaheim.

The Angels jumped on Kennedy for three runs in the first inning, capped by two solo shots by Albert Pujols in the third and fifth innings. Mike Trout added another solo home run against the struggling Joakim Soria in the seventh.

Meanwhile, Angels starter Garrett Richards stifled Kansas City Royals hitters, holding them to three hits and one unearned run in 6.1 innings. The Royals managed only one extra-base hit, a double by Kendrys Morales in the fifth inning.

Richards really took command of this game.

FANTASY NOTE:

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Kansas City Royals reliever Joakim Soria continues to struggle in the 2016 season. Some owners in deep leagues could have picked up Soria hoping to get “runoff” saves on days Wade Davis needs rest. With Soria’s uneven performance early in 2016, he’s not going to realize those hopes until he turns it around.

Fantasy owners who picked him up need to park him on the bench or release him.

Eric Hosmer continued his 15-game hitting streak with a single. Hosmer is not hitting for power early in 2015, but his mature approach at the plate and proven RBI skills suggest a solid season for the first baseman. If he can pick up the power a bit, Hosmer might break through as a fantasy asset.

KEY PITCHING PERFORMANCES:

Kansas City Royals: 

Ian Kennedy: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, (L, 2-2)

Los Angeles Angels:

Garrett Richards: 6.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 5 K (W, 1-3)

KEY HITTING PERFORMANCES:

Kansas City Royals:

Eric Hosmer: 1-3, 1 R, 1 BB

Los Angeles Angels:

Albert Pujols: 2-4, 3 R, 2 HR(5), 2 RBI

Mike Trout: 1-3, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 HR(4), 1 RBI

Next: Could Carlos Beltran Return To KC?

NEXT GAME:

The KC Royals will send Edinson Volquez (2-1) to the mound against Jared Weaver (2-0) for Los Angelest 9:05 CST at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, April 26.