Surprise, Ariz. ? Billy Butler was born in April 1986, six months after the Kansas City Royals won the World Series in their last playoff appearance. He got a $30 million, four-year contract this winter with hopes of helping end that quarter-century postseason drought.

Butler had a two-run single and a stolen base in the first inning Sunday as the Royals beat the defending AL champion Texas Rangers, 4-2, in the Cactus League opener for the teams that share a spring training complex.

In 533 career regular-season games over the past four seasons, Butler had only one stolen base.

“Billy got one in an intrasquad game, too. You can pick your spot in those situations,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “We’re looking to do that whenever we can. He’ll surprise some people.”

Butler had the third consecutive groundball single to start the game off left-hander C.J. Wilson. Mike Aviles led off with a single through the left side of the infield, then Melky Cabrera’s grounder was backhanded by third baseman Michael Young near the line. But his throw went out of play when Cabrera collided with first baseman Mitch Moreland. Cabrera was credited with an infield single and went to second on the throwing error.

After putting the Royals up, 2-0, Butler got his stolen base.

“I’ve never had the green light. I got it under situations, mostly on breaking-ball counts,” Butler said. “Whenever I’ve got a hunch, he’s pretty much turned us loose right now. If I don’t abuse it, I think we can expand it. … I’ve progressed forward, didn’t get thrown out by 20 feet, so I think I’ll try it again.”