SPORTS

Seattle Mariners lose to the Kansas City Royals 8-2

The Associated Press Published Monday, March 10, 2014 7:47PM EDT

Players leave the field after an exhibition spring training baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and the Cincinnati Reds on March 1, 2013, in Surprise, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Text:

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Robinson Cano returned from a four-game absence after a root canal procedure and went 3 for 3 as a split squad of Seattle Mariners lost to the Kansas City Royals 8-2 Monday.

Cano missed four games following the dental work. He singled twice off James Shields, already picked to start on opening day. The Royals ace later picked off Cano at third base.

The new Mariners second baseman also started a double play to end the first.

Mike Moustakas singled twice and drove in two runs for the Royals. Billy Butler doubled, singled and scored twice.

Alex Gordon doubled in two runs during a five-run third for the Royals.

Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez left after two innings with a bruise on his left palm after being hit with a foul tip.

Preliminary X-rays did not show any further damage and manager Ned Yost said the injury wasn't serious.