ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Kansas City Royals picked up where they left off last year, spoiling the Angels' home opener with a 4-2 victory.

The Royals took two from the Angels in Anaheim in last season's American League Division Series on their way to a three-game sweep and eventual trip to the World Series.

With less fanfare Friday, the Royals won in much the same way -- clutch hitting and solid pitching, particularly from the bullpen.

The Royals improved to 4-0 and the Angels fell to 2-2.

Royals left-hander Jason Vargas claimed the victory after giving up two runs, five hits and one walk in six innings. The only runs the Angels pushed across against him came on right fielder Kole Calhoun's RBI double in the third inning and third baseman David Freese's solo homer in the sixth. Both run-scoring hits came with two outs.

Meanwhile, Angels starter Hector Santiago couldn't get through six innings, giving up three runs, six hits and one walk in 5 1/3 innings.

Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer and center fielder Lorenzo Cain drove in runs in the first and fifth innings, respectively, before ex-Angel Kendrys Morales homered in the sixth. Cain drove in another run with a bases-loaded walk in the ninth.

Jason Frasor (seventh inning), Kelvin Herrera (eighth) and Wade Davis (ninth, first save) relieved Vargas to finish it off.

Santiago retired the first two Kansas City batters in the game but then gave up three consecutive hits as the Royals took a 1-0 lead.

Cain doubled and then scored on a single by Hosmer. Morales followed with a single before Santiago got out of the inning.

Vargas retired the first seven Angels hitters before left fielder Collin Cowgill blooped a single to left with one out in the third. Johnny Giavotella hit into a a force play and then scored from first on Calhoun's double to right center, tying the score at 1.

The Royals regained the lead in the fifth on Cain's two-out, RBI single, scoring shortstop Alcides Escobar.

NOTES: Angels manager Mike Scioscia said RHP Garrett Richards will make a rehab start on April 14 for Triple-A Salt Lake. Richards is recovering from surgery on a torn patellar tendon in his left knee on Aug. 20. Richards looked decent in a minor league intrasquad game Thursday, giving up two runs in seven innings while making 96 pitches. ...

Royals SS Alcides Escobar entered Friday's game with a 12-game hitting streak, dating to Sept. 20 of last season. ... Former RHP Mike Witt threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Angels' home opener. Witt ranks fourth in victories in Angels history. ... Angels 2B Johnny Giavotella received an American League champions ring from the Royals before Friday's game. Giavotella. Giavotella played in 12 games for the Royals last season but was not on the postseason roster. ... Royals SS Alcides Escobar singled in the fifth inning, extending his hitting streak that started Sept. 20 to 13 games.