Angels Top Royals 9-7

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After a late-inning rally, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim held on to beat Kansas City Royals 9-7 on Friday night at Kauffman Stadium.

The Royals (65-79, 31-39 home) led 7-5 with two outs in the top of the eighth, but then disaster struck. Reliever Tim Collins gave up a two-run home run to Kendrys Morales.

Collins (5-3, 3.36 ERA) gave up two runs on three hits without recording a single out.

After Collins beamed Angels slugger Albert Pujols to load the bases, reliever Jeremy Jeffress (0.87 ERA) walked in the go-ahead run. The Angels (79-66, 39-34 away) took an 8-7 lead.

The Royals took a 2-0 lead in the second inning after solo home runs by Billy Butler and Mike Moustakas. It was Butler’s 26th HR of the year, and the 100th HR of his career.

An RBI single by center fielder Jason Bourgeois gave Kansas City a 3-0 lead in the third, but the Angels answered with a four-run rally in the fourth. Former Royals third baseman Alberto Callaspo hit a go-ahead two-run RBI single to give the Angels a 4-3 lead.

The Royals put together a three-run rally in the sixth to get the lead back. Right fielder Jeff Francoeur crushed a two-run jack to left to give the Royals a 6-4 lead.

Royals starter Bruce Chen (5.42 ERA) couldn’t take advantage of the early lead, giving up five runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out five and walking one. Angels starter C.J. Wilson (3.73 ERA) gave up four runs on four hits in 5 innings, fanning five and walking two.

Angels closer Ernesto Frieri (1.91 ERA) earned his 19th save.

Former Royals Cy Young winner Zack Greinke (5-2, 4.15 ERA) returns for his second start at Kauffman Stadium this season, this time as a member of the Angels. Royals starter Jeremy Guthrie (4-3, 3.23 ERA) takes the hill against Greinke on Saturday night for game two.