Profar 'feels good' in Rangers' 10-0 rout of Royals
SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) -- The Royals' Edinson Volquez allowed one run in the first inning in an otherwise tidy spring training debut, though the Texas Rangers went on to rout Kansas City 10-0 on Thursday.
Volquez was pitching for the first time since Game 5 of the World Series, when he returned from the Dominican Republic for the funeral of his father to allow two hits over six innings.
The Royals went on to beat the New York Mets in 12 innings for their first championship since 1985.
"I've got some fans now. Somebody loves me," said Volquez, who gave a quick bow to the Royals-heavy crowd that cheered as he exited. "Getting a standing ovation in spring training, you don't see that too often."
The only run Volquez allowed came when left fielder Brett Eibner lost Mitch Moreland's high fly ball in the sun, allowing Lewis Brinson to scoot home from second base for a 1-0 lead.
Joey Gallo drove in a run and Ryan Rua's double brought in two more in the fourth for Texas, while Brett Nicholas hit a two-run homer in the eighth and James Jones went deep in a four-run ninth.
Derek Holland, who was limited to 15 starts the last two years because of knee and shoulder injuries, allowed three hits and a walk in 1 2-3 innings for the Rangers.
"I don't talk about it. It's over. I focus on 2016," Holland said of his health. "I don't care about what happened in the past. It's over. I've got to look forward to now."
PROFAR PRODUCES
Once the No. 1 prospect in baseball, Texas SS Jurickson Profar played infield for the first time since March 22, 2013. He missed the last two years with shoulder injuries and was limited to DH duties during the Arizona Fall League. "I feel good," said Profar, who went 1 for 2 with a walk. "I wish I had more groundballs."
STARTING TIME
Royals: A notoriously slow starter in spring, Volquez was pleased with performance. He allowed two hits and two walks in 1 2-3 innings while working on a slight mechanical tweak with his fastball.
Rangers: Holland got Jose Martinez to ground out with the bases loaded in the first, then exited with a runner on base in the second. Holland threw 37 pitches.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Royals: RF Jarrod Dyson has a strained right oblique and will likely begin the season on the DL. He felt pain Tuesday and hurt it during his first at-bat Wednesday. Asked about the six-week recovery time, he said: "Anybody can throw a timeline out there. I have to see how my body is going to respond."
Rangers: RHP Jeremy Guthrie, who spent the past four seasons in Kansas City, was scratched before the first pitch with a stiff lower back. "I tried to pitch," he said, "but they wouldn't let me."
UP NEXT
Royals: RHP Yordano Ventura makes his spring debut against the Padres in Peoria. Ventura had an up-and-down season a year ago after starting out as the opening-day starter.
Rangers: Ian Desmond makes his debut in LF against the Dodgers in Surprise. Desmond spent seven seasons playing SS for the Nationals. He made two appearances in RF for them.
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