PEORIA, Ariz. -- Coming off a season shortened by injury, Khalil Greene is having great spring.
The Padres' shortstop went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and a stolen base in a 5-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Monday night.
Greene raised his average to .440 to go along with five home runs and 16 RBI in 17 games. He hit .245 last season, with 15 homers and 55 RBI in 121 games before a strained ligament in his middle finger on Aug. 3 limited him for the rest of the year. Thus far the finger is good and so is Greene. But he's not putting any stock in his spring training statistics.
"This has probably been my best spring, but on the flip side I've had two springs before this where I really felt like I struggled," Greene said. "It's just a matter of getting everything in order and feeling comfortable where you're at."
Padres reliever Kevin Cameron put everything together against the Royals. Cameron, who's fighting for the seventh spot in the Padres' bullpen, pitched two scoreless innings and allowed a hit and a walk.
Cameron was a Rule 5 draftee out of the Minnesota Twins organization in December meaning the Padres have to keep him on their 25-man roster all season or offer him back to the Twins for $25,000. Cameron lowered his ERA to 4.76.
"He's got good stuff," Padres manager Bud Black said. "We like his live arm. He turns the ball loose with good stuff."
Royals manager Buddy Bell likes what reliever Jimmy Gobble has to offer. Gobble (2-0) came in during the bottom of the fourth inning and got Brian Giles to hit into a double play. Gobble lowered his ERA to 2.53.
"We need a guy who can come in and get lefties out," Bell said. "Our division is loaded with left-handed hitters. It's nice to have Jimmy be able to get lefties out."
Royals starter Brandon Duckworth got out of several jams in his 3 1/3 innings. Duckworth is battling Brian Bannister for the fifth spot in the rotation.
Duckworth allowed nine base runners but only two scored. Bannister allowed two runs in five innings of a minor-league contest. Only one of Bannister's runs was earned and he finished with seven strikeouts.
"Even before today we're close to a decision," Bell said. "But we're going to hold off on that until the 11th hour."
