ANDREW HEANEY (center) get congrats from Angels’ teammates after throwing one-hit complete game shutout as the Angels beat the Kansas City Royals 1-0 Tuesday night (Angels photo).

By Pete Zarustica

What a birthday present Andrew Heaney gave himself and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Tuesday night. And let’s not forget the frosting on the cake provided by Chris Young.

Heaney celebrating turning 27 by tossing a one-hit complete game shutout against the Kansas City Royals as the Halos won 1-0 to post their third straight win at the Big A. The win improves the team record to 34-28, worth third place in the American League West. They’re five games back of the division-leading Seattle Mariners.

“You can’t say enough about what Andrew did,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “Just the quality of his pitches, maintaining stuff, pitching with his back against the wall the whole game and doing a great job finishing it off. His stuff in ninth inning was as good as anytime during all game … That was a masterpiece.”

Heaney (3-4) struck out four batters and walked one. “It’s first time I’ve ever done it in pro ball,” Heaney said. “It was fun. You want to shake your catcher’s hand, then go shake hands with your teammates. It’s something I’ll never forget. I’ll try to do it again.”

Brad Keller (1-2) was almost as good for the Royals and the game was decided in the fifth inning when Chris Young stole home on a double-steal play. Justin Upton was was the top Angel hitter with three hits.

One dark aspect to the game was an injury to Golden Glove shortstop Andrelton Simmons, who is also the team’s top hitter by average. He left the game after two innings with a sprained right ankle.

Shohei Ohtani (4-1) will make the start for the Angels in Wednesday against the Royals at the Big A.  Ian Kennedy (1-6) will start for Kansas City. Kennedy was a star player from La Quinta High School in Westminster.