Surprise, Ariz. ? Joe Saunders is having the kind of spring he wished he had last year.

Saunders threw four shutout innings in his third start for the Los Angeles Angels, who lost 6-5 to the Kansas City Royals on Thursday.

Damon Hollins, a nonroster invitee who played last year in Japan, went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer for the Royals, who have won four straight.

Saunders, the Angels’ No. 5 starter, gave up two hits, walked two and hit a batter, but also induced two double-play grounders. He has allowed five hits and one run in nine innings, a 1.00 earned-run average, in three starts.

“I’m further along than I was last year,” Saunders said. “I had elbow tightness last year, and it kind of set me back. I had to miss a start here in spring. This year I threw more pitches during the offseason and got my arm in better shape for spring.”

Saunders, a 26-year-old left-hander, was 8-5 with a 4.44 ERA in 18 starts in 2007 with the Angels.