Brandon Wood’s two-run homer in the ninth inning gave the Royals a 4-2 walk-off victory over the Rangers in Cactus League action in Saturday’s debut at Surprise Stadium. Wood, a non-roster infielder, connected off Rangers right-hander Jake Brigham. Wood drove a 2-2 pitch into the left-field bullpen.
The Royals got a solid outing from Luis Mendoza, who pitched for Mexico in the Caribbean World Series and is preparing for the World Baseball Classic. Mendoza was able to hold the Rangers to one run in four innings in a 7-5 win on Sunday. Mendoza threw 65 pitches, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out two. He was coming off a 107-pitch performance in the Caribbean Series, where he was the Most Valuable Player for the champion Mexico team.
The Royals are going with primarily Minor League pitchers against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday, starting at 2:05 p.m. CT at Surprise Stadium.