Yordano Ventura tries to pitch the Kansas City Royals to a commanding two games to none lead over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Friday in Game 2 of the American League Division Series.

Ventura was almost the goat of Kansas City's wild card win over Oakland, as he came out of the bullpen and promptly served up a go-ahead three-run homer to the A's Brandon Moss. The Royals, though, took him and manager Ned Yost off the hook in that one with a thrilling 12-inning win.

"We've got a lot of confidence in (Ventura's) ability," Yost said. "When you throw a 100-mph fastball and 95-mph two-seamer and 94-mph cutter and a nice curveball and nice changeup -- I think everybody has confidence in him."

The 23-year-old flame-thrower, though, won five of his final six decisions in the regular season and ended his rookie campaign 14-10 with a 3.20 ERA.

Ventura faced the Angels once this season -- a rain-shortened start in June in which he allowed two runs in four innings and took the loss.

"Everybody knows they do have a very potent lineup and a lot of guys out there that can hurt you," Ventura said. "But I think my main concern is to know that I go out there and make some pitches. Making some pitches means I've got to put it in good spots against very dangerous people."

Kansas City continued to ride a wave of momentum on Thursday, as Mike Moustakas' first home run in over a month propelled the Royals to a 3-2, 11- inning win in Game 1.

Angels pitchers retired 16 straight hitters at one point, but the hosts wasted a bevy of scoring chances throughout, going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and leaving eight on base. Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Howie Kendrick and Josh Hamilton combined to go 0-for-18 in the setback.

"We had some guys in scoring position, we just couldn't get that one hit," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "I think we swung the bats a little bit better than what the numbers are going to show. We hit some balls hard and they made some terrific defensive plays."

Their only runs came on solo shots from Chris Iannetta and David Freese in the third and fifth innings, respectively.

The light-hitting Royals countered with a long ball of their own, as Moustakas got just enough of a Fernando Salas (0-1) offering to barely send it over the right-field wall for the first extra-inning home run in Royals history.

Kansas City, of course, hit the fewest amount of home runs (95) of any team in the league this season.

Greg Holland (1-0) set down the side in order in the bottom half to cap Kansas City's second dramatic win in three days.

Now the Angels will turn to rookie right-hander Matt Shoemaker, who has not pitched since Sept. 15 due to rib cage and chest injuries.

Shoemaker won his final seven decisions and was 9-1 over his final 11 games with a 1.49 ERA. In all, Shoemaker made 20 starts, going 14-3 with a 2.89 ERA in those games. He also won twice in relief, and his 16 total victories set an Angels rookie record.

"Matt Shoemaker saved our season," Scioscia said. "He's got to be the story of the year for our team, and it might be the biggest surprise in the league. Matt's been a guy who has always had to prove himself. Even this year he had to prove himself. But he got the opportunity and he's made the most of it."

The news wasn't all good for the Royals on Thursday, as reliever Kelvin Herrera exited with a strained right forearm after walking the only batter he faced in the seventh inning. He will have an MRI on Friday.

Los Angeles split six games with the Royals during the season with each team taking two of three in their ballpark.

This is the first postseason meeting between the Angels and Royals, former division rivals in the American League West from 1969-93.