Royals beat Cubs 3-2 but fall 6-4 to A's in split squad play
Mesa, Ariz. -- It was a split decision for the Royals Monday as the reigning World Series champions lost one spring game but won another.
ROYALS 3, CUBS 2
Eric Hosmer hit a two-run double to help the Kansas City Royals beat the Chicago Cubs 3-2 in a game between split squads Monday.
Hosmer's double in the sixth inning was followed by an RBI single by Salvador Perez.
"As a hitter you feel better and better each day and you feel better in the box," Hosmer said. "The first couple of days are a little tough just getting timing down. The body feels good and everything feels good at the plate."
Addison Russell hit his second homer this spring, a two-run shot for the Cubs.
"I took initative in the offseason and took it pretty serious and stayed in the gym," he said. "I listened to the body and my swing feels fine. I am not trying to generate more power. It's the (timing on the) kick or I am barreling the ball more often."
Royals starter Kris Medlen pitched two innings in his spring debut, striking out three.
"All three pitches were there and worked on my fastball location, jumping ahead with first strike and just being aggressive," Medlen said.
Cubs starter Jason Hammel allowed one hit in his two-inning effort.
STARTING TIME
Cubs: Hammel has changed up his delivery since the end of last season and is still getting a feel for it.
"If you look at the video I have more a shoulder and hip turn," he said. "The windup timing is a little off. From the stretch, I feel pretty good and on line with it."
Royals: Medlen was so strong and efficient in his two-inning stint that he went down to the bullpen afterward to throw some additional pitches.
"I threw eight, 10 more pitches trying to get the number up in terms of getting the work in," he said. "I did some shoulder stuff and got some cardio in."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Cubs: Third baseman Tommy LaStella left the game after the first inning because of right calf soreness. He didn't get a fielding opportunity or an at-bat in the game.
KEEP IT ROLLING
The Royals have had a lot of contributions from their big league arms in the early going of spring so far.
"Our big guys (pitchers) have all looked fine so far," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "They all are right where we want them to be at this point in spring training."
LINING UP THE ARMS
The Cubs bullpen has a good trio to the end the game in Justin Grimm, Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon, but the depth goes even further with Adam Warren, Trevor Cahill and Clayton Richard.
"There's a lot of versatility among the group and you can rest guys," manager Joe Maddon said. "The big thing would be not to abuse or overuse them, especially early."
ATHLETICS 6, ROYALS 4
Stephen Vogt hit a pair of home runs and drove in four as Oakland beat a Royals split squad 6-4 on Monday.
Vogt, who underwent elbow surgery about six weeks ago, had been taking batting practice for a week and has been used exclusively as a designated hitter.
"I haven't been feeling great so to have a day like that lets me trust the elbow," Vogt said. "It was good to get extended and take a full swing and not feel any pain."
Mike Moustakas hit a two-run shot for the Royals, who were limited to four hits by Jesse Hahn, Ryan Madson and five other relievers.
"Except for the one mistake to Moustakas he looked outstanding," Vogt said of Hahn, making his first appearance of the spring. "I had the pleasure of facing him a few days ago and he didn't help my confidence."
Josh Reddick added two hits and a RBI and Jed Lowrie added a pair of hits for the A's.
STARTING TIME
Royals: Top Royals prospect Kyle Zimmer went three innings in his second start of the spring. The right-hander had thrown two innings in his first appearance.
"I worked on throwing more changeups and I was just missing off the plate and had to come back with fastballs," Zimmer said. "That's when I got into some trouble. But I got to pitch in situations."
After making 17 relief appearances (2-0, 1.39) at the Single-A and Double-A level last year, Zimmer returned to the starting rotation for his final seven appearances (1-5, 3.41), putting him back on the road to the majors.
"I just want to pitch well every time out," he said. "There's definitely some rust and I want to get my arm back in shape. That said, there is still stuff to work on in the spring."
Athletics: Hahn pitched in a game for the first time since last July 1. An elbow injury shortened his season.
"It felt like three years ago even though I know it was only nine months," Hahn said. "It was an awesome feeling getting out there. I felt so good I was letting it go and was rushing it to the plate. All I cared about was getting out there completely healthy."
The only hit he allowed was Moustakas' homer.
"That was a slidestep change," Hahn said. "I threw a fastball on the previous pitch and noticed he was a little late on it. I think I ran into his timing."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Athletics: RHP Jarrod Parker (Tommy John surgery) is expected to throw on Thursday. ... INF Mark Canha (sore back) took batting practice and could get some at bats in games by the end of the week. ... RHP Henderson Alvarez (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session on Tuesday.
UP NEXT
Royals: Edison Volquez takes the ball at home against Jordan Lyles and the Colorado Rockies.
