Iannetta, Freese provide pop for Angels

ANAHEIM -- While Mike Trout and Albert Pujols supplied most of the power during the Angels' regular season, two unlikely sources provided it Thursday in a 3-2, 11-inning loss in Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Royals.

Angels No. 9 hitter Chris Iannetta belted a home run off Royals left-hander Jason Vargas in the bottom of the third inning to tie the score at 1.

Vargas left a ball up in the zone and Iannetta turned on it, hitting a long ball into the Royals' bullpen in left field. Iannetta became the second Angels player to homer in his first career postseason plate appearance.

"It was awesome. You could tell when I rounded the bases that I had a good time," Iannetta said. "It is something I will never forget."

Iannetta has found success against Vargas before, entering the game 3-for-8 with four RBIs.

What made the home run even more impressive is that it was the first hit the team managed off Vargas, who mowed down the first eight Angels hitters he faced.

David Freese then followed with another shot in the fifth inning to knot the game at 2. It marked his eighth career postseason home run, which is tied for fifth all-time among third basemen.

Taking things up a notch in the postseason, Freese has 30 RBIs to go along with the eight home runs in 49 games.

"It is all about having the opportunity. It's possible you can never be in the postseason and never have a chance to hit a homer," Freese said. "It is just about being on good teams and having the opportunity to go out there and try to succeed."