Diamondbacks split-squad pounds Royals 10-3

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) - Danny Duffy knows he needs to be much better in his next start.

Duffy was hit hard during the Kansas City Royals' 10-3 loss to a split-squad of Arizona Diamondbacks that was missing all of their regulars. The left-hander allowed six runs, five earned, and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.

"I take a lot of pride in what I do, just as much pride right now as in the regular season," Duffy said. "A lot of people are very results based. I'm looking at where I'm locating and where I'm missing. I missed a few times today, as we all do. This is not an excuse. It is what it is. I'm ready to go."

When Duffy starts April 11 at Oakland, everything will be results oriented.

"Absolutely, because it's not spring training anymore," said Duffy, who also walked one, hit a batter and uncorked a wild pitch in his final spring start. "You just can't get out of bed and start throwing hammers. This is where we work on it. I left a couple of balls up and missed my spots. I'm not trying to twist that anyway as being an excuse. I just stunk."

The 23-year-old Duffy began spring training with two perfect innings against Cincinnati. Since then, he has allowed 21 hits and 14 runs in 11 innings.

Manager Ned Yost said Duffy is "still inconsistent with his command, both in and out of the zone."

"He's getting pitches up and out over the plate that are hammer-able pitches," Yost said. "At the big league level, you can still throw 96-97 miles per hour and they're going to get hard if they're not in a good location. The results weren't fantastic, but they weren't horrible either."

A.J. Pollock homered on Duffy's fourth pitch. Geoff Blum hit a two-run homer off Duffy in Arizona's four-run fifth.

"You live and learn," Duffy said. "I got hit around a little bit today, missed a couple of spots, but I feel like for the most part I pitched pretty well."

Blum went 1 for 3 with a walk, scored two runs and drove in two. He has seven hits in his past 15 at-bats.

"I've gotten a lump sum of at-bats towards the end of spring, which is nice to get a little consistency and get the timing down," Blum said. "I'm looking forward to starting the season already."

While Blum started at third and batted third, he will begin the season as a utility player.

"That's the beauty of spring," he said. "There's ample opportunity to start and come in. I think even during spring, it's a little more versatile. I get prepared like I'm going to start every season as a starter and then that way I'm totally prepared for whatever will happen."

Lyle Overbay went 3 for 5 and Henry Blanco had a two-run triple for Arizona. Chris Jakubauskas, who will start the season in the minors, allowed a run and six hits in five innings.

Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz gave up a run and three hits in the seventh.

Eric Hosmer singled in a run for Kansas City, extending his hitting streak to 12 games and increasing his RBI total to a Cactus League-leading 29. Duffy allowed six runs, five earned, and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.

NOTES: The Diamondbacks traded RHP Robby Rowland to Pittsburgh and outrighted RHP Brett Lorin to Double-A Mobile. Lorin, who turned 25 on Saturday, was selected in the Rule 5 draft in December, and the trade allows Arizona to send him to the minors without offering him back to the Pirates. The Diamondbacks now have 33 players in camp, including five non-roster players. ... Royals rookie Kelvin Herrera, who was struck in the right shin by a batted ball Friday night, was OK on Saturday after receiving treatment. "He's fine, just a bruise," Yost said. .The Royals finished with a 10-5 home record at Surprise Stadium, their 10th season at the complex since moving in 2003 from Haines City, Fla. The Royals' 15 home games drew 76,238, which was an increase from last year when they drew 72,900.