Surprise, Ariz. ? Michael Tucker hit two home runs, including a grand slam, and drove in five runs as the Kansas City Royals beat the Anaheim Angels, 11-3, Wednesday.

Tucker is likely to see more playing time in right field with the Royals, who released Mark Quinn Tuesday.

“Tucker is the leading candidate,” Royals manager Tony Pena said. “He did real well last year when he played every day. Time will tell. I believe he can do it.”

Tucker, who hit .248 in 144 games last season, homered with two out in the first off John Lackey. He hit the slam in the fifth off Troy Percival.

Playing center field against the Angels, Tucker also threw out Brad Fullmer, who was attempting to advance from first to third on Scott Spiezio’s fifth-inning single.

Dee Brown hit his club-leading fourth homer in the eighth off Scot Shields. Mendy Lopez also homered in the eighth.

“Brown is making a case for himself,” Pena said.

Julius Matos hit a two-run triple in the Royals’ three-run sixth and scored on Lopez’ sacrifice fly.

Winner Miguel Asencio allowed one hit in four scoreless innings, a single by David Eckstein leading off the game. Asencio is among several candidates trying to earn a job in the Kansas City rotation after going 4-7 with a 4.51 ERA in 21 starts as a rookie.

Lackey gave up two runs and four hits in four innings.

D.J. Carrasco, taken by the Royals in the winter-meeting draft, gave up his first run in seven innings on back-to-back doubles by Adam Riggs and Benji Gil in the eighth.

Notes: Carlos Beltran was held out of the Royals’ lineup because of a strained oblique muscle. … Jarrod Washburn threw on the side in the Angels’ camp. Washburn fell on his left shoulder nine days earlier during field drills and has pitched only two innings in one exhibition appearance.