Royals 7, Angels 3: Eric Hosmer and Billy Butler each homered and drove in three runs, sparking Kansas City to a win in the rubber game of the three-game series in Anaheim.

The Royals scored three runs in the top of the first and pulled away in the middle innings to earn their second straight victory after a season-opening loss.

Hosmer singled home Alcides Escobar in the first, and Butler followed with a two-run homer off Ervin Santana (0-1). Hosmer took Santana deep for a two-run shot in the fifth.

Jonathan Sanchez (1-0) pitched effectively in his Kansas City debut. The left-hander gave up four hits and two runs in five innings, walking three and striking out four. Jonathan Broxton inherited two runners with none out in the ninth, but got out of the jam to earn the save.

Santana gave up six runs — five earned — on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Pujols finished 2-for-3 with one RBI.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The top three in the Angels’ lineup – Erick Aybar, Howie Kendrick and Pujols – combined to go 7-for-13. … Mark Trumbo, who moved from first to third to make way for Pujols, committed his third error in two games. … The Angels open a seven-game road trip Monday at Minnesota. ... The Royals open a three-game series in Oakland before their home opener Friday against Cleveland.