SURPRISE, Ariz. - Yordano Ventura gave up four runs in the first two innings Monday, but the Kansas City Royals rallied to beat the Cleveland Indians 6-5.
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 171/3 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."
Matt Fields hit a two-run homer and Christian Colon had a two-run single for the Royals.
Notes: 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. ... 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." ... 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.