Surprise, Ariz. ? Horacio Ramirez took a step toward claiming one of the final two slots in the Kansas City rotation, throwing five solid innings in the Royals’ 8-5 loss to the Texas Rangers on Saturday.

Ramirez is the Royals’ only left-handed rotation candidate. He gave up four runs, one unearned, and four hits before giving way to the bullpen.

The Rangers scored three runs in the ninth off reliever Roman Colon.

Ramirez, who’s been struggling with a blister on his left index finger, was battered for nine runs and 10 hits — including three homers — in two innings in his previous start against the Los Angeles Angels.

He was much better this time, retiring 11 Texas hitters on ground balls.

“You could say that’s my game,” Ramirez said. “I don’t focus on getting ground balls, I focus on getting the ball down. The results of getting the ball down is ground balls. I was real happy with the way things went. I had a good sinker going and was getting ground balls.”

Ramirez threw only one cutter and few curveballs because of the blister.

“It doesn’t feel too good at times,” he said. “It’s feeling better than before. I wouldn’t say limited, but why change when things are working?”

Nelson Cruz hit his sixth home run, a two-run shot in the first off Ramirez. Mike Aviles made a throwing error in the third that led to the unearned run.

“Horacio was outstanding,” Royals manager Trey Hillman said. “He did a better job of adding and subtracting. He actually had better arm speed on the fastball. The ball got out of the hand better. From what he needs to do in hitting spots, I thought he had a really good day.”

Ramirez fielded five comebackers, and Hillman said he “put on a clinic out there.”

“I like the soft ones,” Ramirez said. “I’m not a big fan of the hard ones. I like the nice little one-hoppers, two-hoppers off the end of the bat.”

Rangers right-hander Scott Feldman gave up four runs and six hits in five innings, while walking one and striking out six. Two of the Royals’ runs came on sacrifice flies by Jose Guillen and Mike Jacobs. Mark Teahen had two of the Royals’ 10 hits and raised his average this spring to .500.