SURPRISE, Ariz. -- After two rather uneventful games, left fielder Jorge Soler put on a display of power in his third start on Tuesday, blasting two long home runs in the Royals' 14-9 victory over the Mariners at Surprise Stadium.
"I felt really good," Soler said through interpreter Luis Perez. "I've been working really hard for this."
Soler pulled a changeup well over the 350-foot sign in left in the second inning. Then, in the third, he jumped on a fastball and hit a loud home run to left-center -- it was estimated to have traveled 488 feet.
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Even he had a hard time remembering the last time he hit a baseball that far.
"A long time ago," he said.
Soler, who lost 19 pounds in the offseason, also revamped his hitting setup. He now sets up with his hands closer to his body.
"I worked a lot on being quicker to the ball," he said.
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Soler, who is out of options, likely will split time between left field and DH this season.
Peralta shaky in debut
It wasn't the best of spring debuts for right-hander Wily Peralta, who likely is vying for a bullpen spot after being signed as a free agent. Peralta lasted one inning and 41 pitches, giving up six runs, four earned.
Manager Ned Yost didn't seem too concerned.
"Veteran guy, first time out, just a little flat," Yost said.
Tough day in the field
Cheslor Cuthbert, trying to secure the third-base job, and Raul Mondesi, hoping to wedge his way onto the 25-man roster, each made errors on grounders during the Mariners' six-run first on Tuesday. Cuthbert's was on a play to his left, while Mondesi, playing shortstop, booted a grounder slightly to his right.
Camp battles
Paulo Orlando, vying for the center fielder's job, continues his torrid start. He had three more hard-hit balls, including two hits, and is 5-for-7 with three doubles.
Mondesi may have had trouble on defense, but he stayed hot at the plate, belting a long triple to right. He's now 4-for-8.
Ryan O'Hearn is maneuvering his way into the conversation at first base, where Hunter Dozier likely is the front-runner. O'Hearn hit an opposite-field home run and a double on Tuesday.
Bubba Starling, somewhat in the mix for the center-field job, belted his first home run of the spring and also showed off his athleticism by making a nice running catch in left-center.
Up next
The Royals will host the Reds on Wednesday at 2:05 p.m. CT at Surprise Stadium. Left-hander Eric Skoglund will get the start.