Relievers turn in solid effort vs. Giants

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Royals continue to lead Major League pitching staffs with a 3.36 ERA through 14 games and they had some strong relief pitching Saturday behind starter Yordano Ventura.

After Louis Coleman and Greg Holland each reeled off a perfect inning, the Giants were hitless through the first out of the sixth inning before Gregor Blanco and Nick Noonan hit back-to-back triples off J.C. Gutierrez. Donnie Joseph gave up his first run of the spring, a leadoff homer by Brandon Belt in the seventh. Nate Adcock worked a perfect eighth and Dan Wheeler had a scoreless ninth.

It was Coleman, battling to keep his bullpen spot, who came in for special mention from manager Ned Yost.

"Louie was sharp as he's been all year. I mean his slider was nasty. It had good downward bite to it, good tilt on it. And spotted his fastball with life on it. Yeah, it was his best inning by far this spring," Yost said.