Moustakas gets work in Royals 'B' game

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- As it turned out, the Royals were shut out twice on Friday. Before their 5-0 loss to the Giants, they lost a five-inning "B" game to the Rangers, 3-0.

Although hot-hitting Mike Moustakas was supposed to have the day off, he lobbied manager Ned Yost for a chance to take some swings as the designated hitter in the "B" game.

"Moose, true to form this year, wants to work on his two-strike approach live. So today was his day off so Pete [hitting coach Pedro Grifol] said, 'Let's get him in the "B" and get him a couple of at-bats and he can work on his two-strike approach.' "

Moustakas, by doing a little lineup shuffling, got in four trips to the plate and went 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts. Nothing like his .438 (7-for-16) outburst so far in "A" games, but he got some work done.

"He never stops working," Yost said. "That kid goes, goes, goes."

Pedro Ciriaco and Brandon Laird had the Royals' only hits. Ramon Hernandez, a catcher who's been out with a knee injury, played first base and went 0-for-2. Closer Greg Holland pitched one scoreless inning.