Royals pound Park, but tumble to Rangers

Gotay belts two home runs, Lima struggles in Kansas City's 17-13 loss

? Chan Ho Park is hoping that he can turn around his awful tenure with the Texas Rangers. He did not get off to a good start.

In his first outing of spring training, Park worked two innings and gave up three runs and five hits for Texas, which defeated the Kansas City Royals, 17-13, Friday.

“I was just trying to work on getting command of my fastball today,” said Park, who went 4-7 with a 5.46 earned-run average in 16 starts in 2004.

“I felt pretty good today, but I still need to work on getting the ball down. I know I have to get results, but I need to work on things, too. This is spring.”

The Rangers hope this is the year they finally get consistent production from Park, who is 14-18 in 48 starts with the Rangers and has two years left on a five-year, $65 million contract. He has been plagued by injury in his three years, spending three months on the disabled list last season.

“I think everybody struggled today on both teams, but Chan Ho was getting his fastball up,” manager Buck Showalter said. “Whether it’s Ryan (Drese), Kenny (Rogers) or Chan Ho, they need to know the team depends on them. There are certain things the team needs, and they have to bring it.”

Jose Lima didn’t fare well in his debut with the Royals, giving up seven runs on eight hits in two innings. Lima was 13-5 with the Dodgers last season and is expected to be a stalwart in Kansas City’s rotation.

“Lima was up in the strike zone, and his changeup was up and flat,” Royals manager Tony Pena said. “That’s why he got hit.”

Ruben Gotay hit two home runs for Kansas City, and the teams combined for 38 hits. Gary Matthews went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and three RBIs to lead the Rangers. Adrian Gonzalez also was 3-for-4 with a solo homer.

Kansas City's Alberto Castillo, right, beats the throw as Texas third baseman Esteban German waits for the ball. Castillo tripled, but the Rangers defeated the Royals, 17-13, Friday in Surprise, Ariz.

The Royals’ Alberto Castillo went 3-for-3 with a home run.

The Rangers broke a 13-all tie with four runs in the eighth inning, keyed by Joaquin Arias’ two-run double.

Notes: 2B Alfonso Soriano had been expected to DH for the Rangers, but told Showalter he rather would wait one more day. He’s expected to play either DH or 2B today. … RHP Kevin Appier of the Royals and Texas’ Ricardo Rodriguez are scheduled to start today. … It was the second straight day both the Royals and Rangers had more than 10 hits. … The Rangers and Royals have added three “B” games to their spring schedules on March 5, 7, and 11. The two teams share the facilities at Surprise.