Royals power way to 13-2 victory over Rangers in spring opener

The Royals wasted no time against Rangers starter Colby Lewis. The first six batters reached and scored, and the Royals, in their first action since the seventh game of the World Series, cruised to a 13-2 victory before 7,195 at Surprise Stadium in the spring training opener.

Eric Hosmer’s three-run homer landed at the bushes just in front of the background wall in dead center. The estimated distance for the wind-aided blast was 445 feet. It looked more like the postseason, rather than the regular-season, power stroke for Hosmer.

Batting practice continued as Kendrys Morales and Alex Rios each followed Hosmer with pull-shot home runs, and in the third dropped opposite-field doubles. For the game, Morales and Rios combined to go four for six with four RBIs. About as positive a start as possible for the newbies.

“A lot of us had good at-bats today,” Alex Rios said.

▪ Second baseman Omar Infante didn’t play as he rested a sore right elbow. Christian Colon started at second base, hit ninth and laced an RBI single in the third inning. Catcher Salvador Perez didn’t play and will be used sparingly early in spring training. No need to wear him down now.

▪ Starting pitcher Aaron Brooks surrendered a second-inning leadoff home run to Ryan Ludwick but was otherwise sharp in his two innings.

▪ Relief pitcher Tim Collins, battling for a bullpen spot, faced four hitters and left the game in the fifth inning because of an arm injury. Jandel Gustave replaced him and gunned his fastball in the mid-90s in 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Gustave will get a long look for a spot in the pen.

This story was originally published March 4, 2015 at 5:10 PM with the headline "Royals power way to 13-2 victory over Rangers in spring opener."