Vargas stays sharp against Dodgers

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Royals left-hander Jason Vargas continued his impressive spring, but Minor League outfielder Noel Cuevas hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning in his first Cactus League at-bat to lift the Dodgers to a 7-5 victory on Tuesday at Surprise Stadium.

Alex Guerrero opened the Dodgers' ninth with a triple that bounced off the center-field wall. The umpires, prodded by Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, used the instant-replay process to ensure the ball hadn't cleared the wall for a homer and confirmed the call. Royals reliever Louis Coleman got an infield out, issued a walk and then faced Cuevas, who played last season for Class A Rancho Cucamonga.

Cuevas hit Coleman's 2-1 pitch high over the left-center-field wall. The Dodgers loaded the bases before Coleman finally ended the inning without more scoring.

Justin Maxwell's two-run single had given the Royals a 5-4 lead in the eighth inning. Maxwell, who was 3-for-5 as the designated hitter, delivered off right-hander Javy Guerra. His single to left scored Johnny Giavotella and Jimmy Paredes, who had advanced into scored position on a passed ball.

Scott Van Slyke had a two-run homer for the Dodgers in the top of the eighth, his second homer in a week.

The win gave the Dodgers a 5-6-4 record; the Royals are 6-6-1.

Vargas ran his scoreless streak to seven innings with perfect pitching in the first and second. However, he started the third by hitting Justin Turner with a pitch, two outs later, he scored on Chone Figgins' single. But when Figgins tried to score from second on Carl Crawford's hit, he was thrown out by Gold Glove-winning left fielder Alex Gordon.

Vargas pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth, his final inning. His ERA stands at 1.00 after three appearances.

Dodgers starter Dan Haren also worked four innings and gave up one run. That came in the fourth after the Royals loaded the bases with no outs on singles by Maxwell and Danny Valencia and a walk to Lorenzo Cain. Only Maxwell scored, however, sprinting home after shortstop Figgins caught Brett Hayes' popup in short left field.

Haren allowed seven hits and one walk. He's permitted two runs in 10 innings for a 1.80 ERA this spring.

"I gave up a few hits, but I think they were all singles," Haren said. "I was keeping the ball on the ground, for the most part, which is really good. I worked out of a few jams. I feel good."

The Royals snapped the 1-1 tie in the sixth inning against veteran Jamey Wright. An error, a walk and a hit batter loaded the bases with one out and Carlos Peguero drilled a two-run single up the middle. But Wright escaped further damage.

Wade Davis, recently assigned to the Royals' bullpen, gave up a run in the seventh. A.J. Ellis, who opened the inning with a walk, scored on a wild pitch.

The Royals loaded the bases in the seventh with no outs against left-hander Paco Rodriguez but failed to score.

After Royals lefty Scott Alexander began the eighth with a walk to Aaron Bates, Van Slyke pounded a homer to center field to give the Dodgers a 4-3 lead.

Up next: Rookie right-hander Yordano Ventura gets his third Cactus League outing at 3:05 p.m. CT on Wednesday against the Athletics at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The game is available on Gameday Audio.

Ventura is battling with left-hander Danny Duffy for the fifth slot in the starting rotation. Catcher Salvador Perez (bruised left hand) is expected to be back in the lineup, but shortstop Alcides Escobar (sore right shoulder) will be out. Also on the Royals' pitching list are Michael Mariot, Francisley Bueno, Donnie Joseph, Scott Alexander and Justin Marks.

The A's probable starter is Scott Kazmir. This will be the Royals' last trip to Phoenix Municipal for the foreseeable future; the A's are moving to Mesa next spring.