Royals 5, Padres 4

GAME SUMMARY

Nate Adcock got just what he needed when he needed it most Thursday afternoon in wiggling out of a ninth-inning jam in closing out the Royals’ 5-4 victory over the San Diego Padres in Peoria, Ariz.

Adcock used his heavy sinker to induce a game-ending double play with the bases loaded after two walks and a hit batter. Alexi Amarista hit a soft grounder to second baseman Chris Getz, who tagged Jeudy Valdez before throwing to first for the out.

The victory enabled the Royals to remain unbeaten at 6-0-1 with six straight victories after a Cactus League-opening tie. They are the only unbeaten team in Arizona or Florida.

Adcock’s escape came after James Shields opened the game with a dominating inning in his spring debut. The Royals built a 5-1 lead before the Padres stormed back with three runs in the seventh against Ryan Verdugo.

The Royals took a 1-0 lead in the third on Johnny Giavotella’s two-out RBI single after Irving Falu opened the inning with a double. San Diego pulled even later in the inning after Gregorio Petit’s one-out drive to left-center fell for a triple.

Falu’s one-out walk ignited a two-run fifth. George Kottaras followed with an RBI double and moved to third on Alex Gordon’s infield single. Giavotella collected his second RBI on a grounder to second.

The Royals pushed their lead to 5-1 with a two-run seventh after Luis Durango led off with a triple against Huston Street. Getz’s routine pop fell for an RBI single before singles by Xavier Nady and Manny Piña produced another run.

Amarista’s two-run double with two outs against Verdugo capped a three-run burst, but Blaine Boyer closed the inning without further damage.

ARMS RACE

Will Smith followed James Shields to the mound and delivered three dominant innings that included five strikeouts. He gave up two hits, one on a high-sky triple that led to the only run he permitted.

“If you could look any better (than Shields), Will Smith did,” manager Ned Yost said. “We had him slated for two, and he got through the first two so easily, I said, `Man, we’ve got to give him another one.’

“He had all three pitches working. Great downhill action on his fastball. A good change-up and a really good curve. He threw three pitches for strikes.”

Smith’s outing followed a pair of one-two-three innings in his previous start.

J.C. Gutierrez took another step toward securing a bullpen job by working his second perfect inning. He induced three ground-ball outs in the fifth.

STAT WRAP

The Royals’ 11 hits were by 11 different players.

DEFINING DEFENSE

Miguel Tejada started at third base and will likely to do again before he departs Sunday to join the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

“We’d like to move him around a little more,” Yost said. “But until he gets back, we won’t. He’s going to play third in the WBC. So we’re trying to get him as many repetitions at third as we can.”

A little more work might be needed. Tejada threw Kyle Blanks’ grounder into the seats behind first base for an error in the second inning.

MEDICAL UPDATES

Utilityman Elliot Johnson is likely to miss another day or two while he recovers from a bruised left knee. With Alcides Escobar getting the day off, Irving Falu drew the start at shortstop.

ETC.

The Royals and Padres played the game under American League rules, meaning designated hitters, and did so at the Padres’ request. Yost said he had planned to have his pitchers bat.

ON DECK

It’s Ervin Santana’s turn to make his spring debut Friday when the Royals return to Surprise to play Cincinnati. He’s scheduled for two innings. Plans also call for closer Greg Holland and reliever Aaron Crow to pitch for the first time.

UP NEXT

Royals (RHP Ervin Santana) vs. Reds (RHP Mat Latos), at 2:05 p.m. Central time in Surprise, Ariz.

QUOTEBOOK

“Everybody’s healthy. That’s why it can’t be going any better. We’re swinging the bats really well. I love our approach. I love the way our pitchers are attacking the strike zone, and we’ve played very well defensively. You combine all of those things, and it’s going quite nicely for us so far.”

_ manager Ned Yost when asked, with his club at 6-0-1, if things could be going any better.

| Bob Dutton,

COUNTDOWN TO OPENING DAY: 31 DAYS