ROYALS 3, ATHLETICS 2
at Phoenix, Ariz.
Tuesday, March 6

Royals at the plate: Jason LaRue hit his first two home runs of Spring Training. He homered to lead off the second and again in the sixth. Reggie Sanders went 2-for-2 with a double and a walk.

Athletics at the plate: Antonio Perez contributed a RBI triple in the fourth. Mike Piazza doubled in the second inning, but left in the third after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Royals on the mound: Brian Bannister, who was making his second start, allowed one unearned run in three innings. He walked one, hit a batter and struck out one. Joakim Soria allowed one run on two hits in two innings. Kenny Ray worked a perfect inning.

Athletics on the mound: Joe Blanton, a 16-game winner last season, allowed one run on three hits, walked one and struck out four in two innings in his first start. Left-hander Alan Embree gave up one hit and struck out one in one inning. He has allowed no runs and two hits in two innings in his first two appearances.

Cactus League records: Royals, 3-3; Athletics, 3-2-1.

Up next: Left-hander Joe Kennedy will start for the A's on Wednesday against the Cubs at Mesa. Carlos Zambrano will be the Cubs starter. Dewon Brazelton will start for the Royals against the White Sox at Tucson Electric Park. The Royals will start Gil Meche in a "B" game against the Rangers with 10 a.m. MT start at Surprise, Ariz.