SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Royals' likely Opening Day starter, Edinson Volquez, struck out six through four innings in a 9-4 Cactus League loss to an Indians split-squad team on Sunday at Surprise Stadium.
Volquez gave up give five hits and three runs. He threw 69 pitches, 44 for strikes.
"I think everything was working," Volquez said. "The curve was good and my changeup was better than my curve. Fastball command was really good. I walked two guys but still felt good.
"It's all about getting ready for the start of the season. I'm real close."
Alex Gordon hit his second home run of the spring, a solo shot in the first inning.
Indians starter Mike Clevinger, the team's No. 7 overall prospect according to MLBPipeline, went two-plus innings and gave up five hits and three runs (one earned). He walked two and struck out three before hitting his pitch count of 50.
Clevinger admitted he was a bit rattled facing the defending World Series champs.
"It's definitely nerve-wracking," Clevinger said. "You know who it is. You try to be the same guy, but I think that it probably got me a little bit amped."
As for Gordon's homer, Clevinger said, "He ambushed a fastball I left up, and he put a good swing on it. He was ready."
Giovanny Urshela pounded a two-run homer to left for the Indians in the fourth, and Roberto Perez added a three-run homer in the seventh.
Indians right-hander Trevor Bauer, projected as the team's No. 4 starter, worked four innings in relief, striking out three and allowing one run.
Up next for Indians: The Indians will play the Rangers on back-to-back days starting Monday at 4:05 p.m. ET at Goodyear Ballpark. Corey Kluber will square off against A.J. Griffin on Monday, and Carlos Carrasco will take the mound against Martin Perez on Tuesday at Surprise Stadium. Cody Anderson will start on Wednesday against the Angels in Goodyear.
Up next for Royals: The Royals take on the White Sox at Surprise Stadium in a 3:05 p.m. CT game on Monday. Right-hander Yordano Ventura will start, likely followed by Joakim Soria, Chien-Ming Wang and rookie Matt Strahm.