Mike Aviles hit a grand slam in the third inning and drove in five runs and the Kansas City Royals defeated the Oakland Athletics 8-3 on Tuesday night.
Royals right-hander Zack Greinke, who had given up 11 runs in eight innings in his previous two starts, struck out eight in five innings and allowed three runs, two earned, on four hits and two walks.
All three Oakland runs off Greinke came in the third. Nomar Garciaparra and Bobby Crosby had RBIs, while the other run scored on an Alberto Callaspo throwing error.
After the game, Kansas City manager Trey Hillman made it official — Gil Meche would start the April 6 opener at Chicago, while Greinke would start the second game.
Aviles, who started last season at Triple-A, was promoted on May 29 last season and became the Kansas City regular shortstop on June 6, hitting .325 with 10 home runs and 51 RBIs in 102 games. He finished tied for fourth in the American League rookie of the year balloting.
"It's a complete 180, definitely for the better," Aviles said of the turnaround of his fortunes from the 2008 camp. "I'm not saying it was bad in 2007, but it's a lot different now. I can't complain. I worked really, really hard to be where I'm at right now. I'm going to work harder to stay where I'm at and get better. That's usually my philosophy, just work as hard as I can and leave everything out there."
After spending five-plus years in the minors, 2008 was a special year for Aviles.
"In a sense, yes," Aviles said. "But for me, in general, I try not to think of it in that reality because I worked really hard to get where I'm at. I feel that when you work really hard, you do get rewarded with things."
Aviles' grand slam off A's left-hander Josh Outman came on a change up. Willie Bloomquist and Coco Crisp had singled and Alex Gordon was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Outman, who is a candidate for the Oakland rotation, had allowed only one run in 8 2-3 innings in his previous three outings. This was his first start since Feb. 25.
"It is really aggravating, especially following the last few outings that have been strong," Outman said. "I don't think this is going to make or break my spring training, but it is a bump in the road I would rather not have had. I was excited about getting a start again. I got a little anxious and tried to do too much.
"I wasn't throwing breaking balls for strikes. I was overthrowing and cutting pitches off. When all you have to rely on is a fastball, big league hitters are going to hit it and that's exactly what they did."
Sean Gallagher, another rotation candidate, replaced Outman and worked 4 2-3 scoreless innings, giving up six hits.
Notes:@ A's DH Jack Cust was scratched with lower back stiffness. He was replaced by Daric Barton, who had a triple and is 9-for-22 in his past nine games. ... The Royals made two roster moves, assigning LHP Heath Phillips and OF Tommy Murphy to minor league camp. Phillips was 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA in six games, while Murphy hit .333 in 20 games. ... Royals RHP Julio Pimentel has opted against elbow surgery after seeking a second opinion. He was diagnosed as having a fractured bone and ligament damage in the elbow. Pimentel has not yet resumed throwing and there is no timetable when he will return to the mound.
Copyright 2009 AP News
