Major League Baseball

Ventura hit hard in Royals' 6-5 win over Indians

Published Mar. 16, 2015 7:13 p.m. ET

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SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) Yordano Ventura gave up four runs in the first two innings, but the Kansas City Royals rallied to beat the Cleveland Indians 6-5 Monday.

Ventura gave up hits to the first four batters, with Jason Kipnis and Carlos Santana contributing RBI singles in a three-run first. The right-hander allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk in three innings. He struck out five. Ventura has a 10.29 ERA in three starts.

''I'm happy with my fastball, but they squared some up,'' Ventura said through a translator.

Ventura's fastball reached 100 mph on radar guns.

''Good stuff, got his pitch count (69) where we wanted it.'' Royals manager Ned Yost said. ''He's still refining his fastball command.''

Indians right-hander Shaun Marcum, who was limited to 17 1-3 innings in the minors last season while recovering from shoulder surgery, threw three scoreless innings, allowing two hits.

''As far as my arm, it's night and day to where I was last year,'' Marcum said. ''I feel like I'm headed in right direction right now. I've still got to continue to build up arm strength, pitch count, endurance, mechanically in the pen.''

With Gavin Floyd set to have elbow surgery, Marcum is competing for a spot in Cleveland's rotation. He hasn't pitched in the majors since 2013.

Matt Fields hit a two-run homer and Christian Colon had a two-run single for the Royals.

STARTING TIME

Indians: Marcum, who has an out clause near the end of March if not put on the big league roster, acknowledged he is ''definitely'' pitching for other clubs in spring training. ''But the main thing is I want to pitch for these guys,'' Marcum said. ''They gave me the opportunity last year to come in and do my rehab. I want to show them that I can get people out in the big leagues still. I still feel like I've got a lot left in my arm. I definitely don't want to end my career how it went in New York.''

He was 1-10 with a 5.29 ERA in 2013 with the Mets before surgery.

Royals: RHP Luke Hochevar, who had reconstructive elbow surgery last March, tossed a spotless seventh. ''He is less than a year out from surgery so it's pretty darn encouraging,'' Yost said.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Indians: RHP Gavin Floyd will undergo surgery Tuesday to repair a fractured bone in his right elbow. ... INF Mike Aviles is nursing a tender right shoulder.

Royals: LF Alex Gordon, who is recovering from December right wrist surgery, faced pitchers for the first time in batting practice Monday. ''It went well,'' Gordon said. ''I'm not worried about results. I haven't seen a pitch since October. I'm trying to get that rhythm back.''

ROYALS SIGN FURCAL

The Royals signed shortstop Rafael Furcal, 37, to a minor league contract as he rehabs a torn hamstring. Furcal was limited to nine games last year with Miami because of hamstring injuries. He missed 2013 after elbow surgery. He has a .281 batting average in 14 years in the majors.

HALL OF FAME HELP

RHPs Bret Saberhagen and Dennis Leonard, OF Willie Wilson and 1B John Mayberry, who are all in the Royals Hall of Fame, are assisting in camp. ''They told me not to screw up too many minor league pitchers,'' joked Saberhagen, a two-time AL Cy Young award winner.

UP NEXT

Indians: RHP Corey Kluber will make his second start Tuesday against the Reds.

Royals: Rookie LHP Brandon Finnegan is scheduled to go three innings Tuesday against the Cubs.

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