Surprise, Ariz. ? Kyle Davies started spring training the same way he finished last season.

Davies pitched two scoreless innings, and Ross Gload hit a bases-loaded triple to help the Kansas City Royals beat the Texas Rangers, 7-2, on Thursday.

Davies’ performance followed his strong work last September, when he went 4-1 with a 2.27 earned-run average in five starts.

“You hope all the guys in your rotation pitch the way he did in September,” Royals manager Trey Hillman said. “Five starts in a row he was lights-out. He started off that way today. He can be a huge stabilizer.”

The Royals have Gil Meche and Zack Greinke topping the rotation, but are looking for quality starters behind them. Davies could emerge as the No. 3 starter with a strong spring training after the way he finished 2008.