Ventura pitches 3 scoreless innings, leads Royals to win

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) Yordano Ventura worked three scoreless innings, Lorenzo Cain had a pair of RBI singles and a Kansas City Royals split squad defeated the San Diego Padres 4-3 Wednesday.

Ventura threw 54 pitches, giving up four singles, walking one and striking out three.

Ventura, who won 14 games with a 3.20 ERA as a rookie, would welcome the opportunity to start the April 6 opener.

''It's a huge responsibility, but that's what I want to do this year,'' Ventura said through an interpreter. ''That's what I'm focused on. That would mean I've earned all the trust from everybody here. I'm going to keep working hard to earn that trust.''

Manager Ned Yost remained mum on who will start opening day.

''We'll see,'' Yost said. ''I trust all my starters.''

Cain, who was MVP of the American League Championship Series when he hit .533, singled home Gabriel Noriega with hits in the first and fifth innings.

Brandon Morrow, who is competing for the fifth slot in the Padres' rotation, gave up a run on four hits while striking out four in three innings.

''All the hits were ground balls, which you're trying to get anyway, and the hardest hit ball of the day was an out,'' Morrow said. ''I thought it went well all in all. I'm throwing a lot of strikes and feeling good about it.''

Cameron Maybin doubled and scored on Will Venable's two-out single in the fifth inning. Cody Decker hit a two-run homer in the eighth.

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STARTING TIME

Padres: RHP Odrisamer Despaigne, a Cuban refugee who had a 3.36 ERA in 16 starts last season, allowed one unearned run on three hits in 2 2-3 innings. He is vying with Morrow for the lone vacancy in the rotation. ''I worked all my pitches - fastball, curveball, slider and changeup - and I was throwing strikes with all of them,'' Despaigne said through an interpreter. ''If they need me to start or in the bullpen, I'm ready for that. I'm used to starting a game, so it's a little bit challenging (relieving). I work hard to be the number fifth, but I want to be No. 1 or No. 2 someday.''

Royals: RHP Wade Davis, who went 9-2 with a 1.00 in 71 relief appearances, last year, worked a scoreless fourth inning, striking out two and surrendering a double.

RULE 5 PICK OPENS EYES

Right-hander Jandel Gustave, who the Royals selected as a Rule 5 pick in December, allowed one run on two hits in two innings and picked up the victory. ''Gustave threw the ball really well,'' Royals manager Ned Yost said. ''He's got a real nice delivery. The issue with him is he going to be able to throw enough strikes and so far he has.''

TRAINER'S ROOM

Padres: Third base coach Glenn Hoffman will undergo surgery Thursday to repair left knee cartilage damage. Jose Valentin will fill in during Hoffman's absence. C Tim Federowicz, who tore right knee meniscus Sunday, will also undergo arthroscopic surgery Thursday. It is projected he could be out six to eight weeks. Both surgeries will be performed at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, Calif.

Royals: LF Alex Gordon, who had right wrist surgery in late December and began taking batting practice Tuesday, will play in minor league games next week before appearing in a Cactus League game.

ALMONTE VS. ALMONTE

Miguel Almonte retired Abraham Almonte on a grounder to second with two runners on to end the game and get his first save.

UP NEXT

Padres: RHP James Shields will make his second start as the Padres host the Dodgers at Peoria Stadium.

Royals: RHP Luke Hochevar, who missed all of last season after reconstructive elbow surgery, will make his spring training debut against the Indians.