MESA, ARIZ. ? Ronny Cedeno was the Chicago Cubs’ opening-day shortstop a year ago, but when spring training started last month, he needed to win a job.

Chicago Cubs' Derrek Lee watches his RBI double in the third inning. Lee and the Cubs survived a Royals rally and won, 13-10 in 10 innings, Tuesday in Mesa, Ariz.

He’s done that as a utility infielder and also impressed his new boss, manager Lou Piniella.

Cedeno, whose game has improved dramatically since a long talk with Piniella earlier this spring about his approach at the plate, hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the 10th inning Tuesday to send the Cubs past the Kansas City Royals, 13-10.

“He worked with me on the strike zone,” Cedeno said. “Now I try to take more walks and I can see the ball real good. … It is relaxing for me because they gave me an opportunity and I feel happy for that.”

With Cesar Izturis now the everyday shortstop, Cedeno will get his playing time backing him up and can also play second base.

Piniella’s message to Cedeno was stay on the ball longer, hit it to right-center when possible and take more pitches.

“The more pitches he sees, the better he is able to clock them,” Piniella said.

“He’s done well, that ball there is a home run without the wind. He got all of it.”

Cedeno’s winning homer to deep left on a blustery day at HoHoKam Park came off Thad Markray. Chicago led 10-8 headed into the bottom of the ninth, but closer Ryan Dempster gave up three hits and two runs for a blown save.

The Royals got homers from Emil Brown, Mike Sweeney and Alex Gordon. Sweeney and Gordon went back-to-back off reliever Michael Wuertz in the fifth.