The week in Royals spring training: March 24

Just one more full week to go....

Friday, March 17

Royals 4 Indians 4 (10 innings) - Box Score

With opening day in sight, Royals still waiting for someone to emerge in battle for fifth starter

Travis Wood had his longest outing of the spring, going five innings, giving up two solo home runs while striking out four. Chris Young had a long outing as well with four innings and just two unearned runs allowed. Christian Colón got the scoring started for the Royals with an RBI double, one of two hits on the day. Alex Gordon also doubled home a run, but struck out in his other two at-bats. Peter O’Brien launched his sixth home run of the spring. Terrance Gore singled home a run, but was caught stealing by catcher Eric Haase.

Saturday, March 18

Royals 8 Brewers 5 - Box Score

Nathan Karns survives shaky start, Royals beat up Brewers 8-5

Nate Karns had a shaky first inning, allowing four runs, before throwing three shutout innings. He struck out four, but allowed seven hits including a two-run home run to Ryan Braun. The Royals also struck in the first, getting three runs on RBI doubles by Alex Gordon, Cheslor Cuthbert, and Ryan O’Hearn. Those three hitters all collected two hits on the day, although Cuthbert committed a throwing error from third base. Christian Colón had two hits and a walk. Mike Minor continued his perfect spring with a scoreless inning.

Sunday, March 19

Royals 6 Cubs 2 - Box Score

Royals’ Ian Kennedy displays ‘midseason stuff’ in 6-2 victory over the Cubs

Ian Kennedy needed just 72 pitches to breeze through six shutout innings against the defending champs. Kennedy struck out seven Cubs hitters in a lineup that featured their regulars. Mike Moustakas homered off lefty Mike Montgomery and Christian Colón drove home two with a single. Joakim Soria had a perfect inning with two strikeouts. Jorge Soler had a tough game against his old team, going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts.

Monday, March 20

Reds 10 Royals 6 - Box Score

Jason Hammel shines, Matt Strahm stumbles in Royals' 10-6 loss to the Reds

Matt Strahm had a rare disaster of a performance, giving up six runs on six hits, while recording just one out. The outing wiped out a lead built on a strong start from Jason Hammel, who gave up just one run in 5 ¹⁄₃ innings, while striking out five. Ryan O’Hearn doubled and homered for the second time this spring. Humberto Arteaga drove home three runners on a pair of singles. Raúl Mondesí went 1-for-3 but committed an error.

Tuesday, March 21

Diamondbacks 4 Royals 2 - Box Score

Royals hoping Jorge Soler can get on track after first spring home run

Jason Vargas gave up two runs in 4 ¹⁄₃ innings, including a home run to Chris Herrmann, with three strikeouts in a loss to the Diamondbacks. The Royals managed just five hits, but one was the first home run of the spring for Jorge Soler. Whit Merrifield, playing first base, had a double and a stolen base. Peter O’Brien smacked his seventh home run of the spring but struck out in his other two at-bats. Joakim Soria struck out one and gave up a hit in a scoreless inning of relief.

Wednesday, March 22

Royals 6 Padres 2 - Box Score

Cheslor Cuthbert sparks Royals with glove, bat in 6-2 victory over Padres

Nathan Karns had his most brilliant outing of the spring, tossing six shutout innings with nine strikeouts and just four hits with no walks. Travis Wood, Kelvin Herrera, and Mike Minor each struck out a pair of hitters in an inning of relief, although Herrera allowed three hits and a run. Cheslor Cuthbert smacked a double and a home run, and made a nifty stretch while playing first base.

“That’s why we feel like he can play almost anywhere in the infield,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.

Salvador Pérez returned to the lineup for the first time since his collision with Drew Butera in the World Baseball Classic, going 0-for-3 at DH and getting plunked by Jered Weaver. Mike Moustakas smashed his fifth home run of the spring and Brandon Moss doubled home a run.

Other notes: Raúl Mondesí was scratched from last Friday’s game with back tightness. Chris Young had a stiff neck and had his outing for Wednesday pushed back. Alcides Escobar returned to camp and is expected to be back in the lineup on Friday. Salvador Pérez is expected to be back behind the plate on Friday. The Royals released Jonathan Sanchez and assigned five others to minor league camp.