Damon Hollins went three for three with five RBIs in highlighting a 14-hit attack that included homers from Mark Teahen and Ryan Shealy. The Giants also contributed four errors and walked eight as the Royals scored in every inning from the second through the seventh.
The offensive explosion came one day after the Royals managed just two hits in a 13-1 loss to the Cubs. It started with the Royals pummeling Zito for eight runs in 3 2/3 innings. Three runs were unearned, but Zito gave up five hits and four walks.
“Obviously, I’m pleased with the offense,” manager Trey Hillman said. “But I’m most pleased by the way we (defensively) controlled the ball. That’s the thing I’ve been talking about.
“We ran good cuts and relays even after we built the lead. We played defense with a purpose.”
ARMS RACE
Hideo Nomo recovered from a two-run first inning by blanking the Giants in the second and third. He keeps bumping up his velocity, too. The radar gun caught him at 88 mph on one occasion.
Closer Joakim Soria breezed through two innings after replacing Nomo starting the fourth. Soria retired six of seven hitters with two strikeouts and a walk.
Gil Meche gave up two runs and four hits in 4 1/3 innings against a collection of minor-leaguers in a morning workout. He struck out two and walked three in a 68-pitch performance. Meche got four outs in his third inning because he needed just eight pitches to record three outs.
REGULAR GUYS
Jose Guillen delivered his first spring hit at a key moment — a sharp single through the left side with the bases loaded in the four-run third inning that put the Royals on top for good.
Teahen’s two spring homers are both against left-handers, Zito and Colorado’s Chris George. Shealy’s club-leading third homer came leading off the fifth against reliever Tyler Walker.
David DeJesus had a double and two walks in four plate appearances. He has reached base in 16 of 26 plate appearances for a .615 on-base percentage.
MOVES AND DEALS
If the Dodgers are interested in utilityman Esteban German, it’s news to the Royals. Foxsports.com reported the Dodgers view German as a potential acquisition target to serve as a backup to second baseman Jeff Kent and third baseman Nomar Garciaparra. That interest has not been communicated to the Royals, general manager Dayton Moore said.
INJURY UPDATES
Left-hander Jimmy Gobble allowed just one walk in working a scoreless eighth inning just one day after having a 1-inch remnant of a cactus thorn removed from his right big toe. Gobble stubbed his toe on a cactus shrub last month while playing golf.
“Big-time difference,” he said. “I was actually trying to land on my toe like I’m supposed to.”
Outfielder Shane Costa resumed full workouts after missing Sunday because of a sore knee.
ON DECK
Today marks the second of three spring trips to Tucson. It’s a 150-mile bus ride with Diamondbacks right-hander Dan Haren waiting at the end of it. Haren worked three scoreless innings last Thursday against the Royals in Surprise.
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