ROYALS SURVIVE HALOS' SURGE IN 7-5 WIN

• Smallest player in baseball hits key HR in victory
  Freddie Patek went 2-for-4 and hit the 1st home run of the season for Kansas City as the Royals defeated the California Angels 7-5 in the team's home opener at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals struck first in the 1st inning as Hal McRae (.222-0-1) brought George Brett home with a 2-out single. California tied the game at 1-1 as Jerry Remy's sac fly brought Andy Etchebarren home in the 2nd inning. But KC plated 4 runs in the bottom of the inning as Amos Otis (.100-0-1), Jim Wohlford (.200-0-1), Brett (.500-0-2) and John Mayberry (.333-0-2) each delievered RBIs in the frame. The Royals would extend the lead to 7-1 as Patek (.444-1-3) hit the 1st home run this season for the Royals, a 2-run shot off losing pitcher Andy Hassler. KC pitcher Al Fitzmorris (1-0, 4.50) was cruising until Remy hit a 2-run homer in the top of the 7th to make it 7-3. Then Bobby Bonds doubled home Dave Collins to make it 7-4. And in the 9th, Tony Solaita doubled Bonds home to make it 7-5, but Mark Littell (2 saves, 4.50) slammed the door on the Halos to end the game.
  GOOD NEWS:
  George Brett had 3 hits, while the middle infield combo of Freddie Patek and Frank White had 2 hits to lead a 12-hit attack.
  Patek had 2 RBIs, he leads the team with 3, followed by Brett and Mayberry with 2.
  Brett had 2 doubles today, giving him 3 for the season, he leads the team in that department, he also leads the team with 5 hits and is tied for the team lead with 2 runs scored.
  Fitzmorris had a quality start allowing 3 runs and 7 hits in 6 innings, picking up the win.
  Everyone had a hit for KC, except Amos Otis, who was 0-for-4.
  BAD NEWS:
  Royals had 2 errors in the game tonight, both by George Brett, who now has a horrible .700 fielding percentage (2 putouts, 5 assists, 3 errors in 2 games).
  The Angels outhit KC 13-12, with Jerry Remy, Hector Torres, Barry Bonds and Leroy Stanton each getting 2 hits, and Remy had 3 RBI.
  
  The Royals and Angels play again tomorrow at Royals Stadium.