Padres 3, Royals 2(10)

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) -- Billy Butler went 3-for-3 with his team-leading fourth home run in the Kansas City Royals' 3-2, 10-inning loss to the San Diego Padres on Saturday.

Butler, normally the designated hitter, played first base. He likely won't be getting too many starts there during the season, manager Trey Hillman said.

Butler, hitting .380 in exhibition play, entered spring training in competition for the starting first base job with Ryan Shealy and Ross Gload. Butler was drafted as a third baseman and then was moved to the outfield in the minors. The Royals shifted him to first base last season.

"I think Billy will see some time at first base, but I've already met with Billy and told him the majority of his at-bats will probably be in the DH role," Hillman said. "I'm not going to tell him that he's not going to play first base because I think there are some times when he'll be at first base.

Hillman said he prefers the lateral range shown by Shealy and Gload.

Padres left-hander Chris Young, who will start the second game of the season for the Padres, allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings, the longest outing by a San Diego pitcher this year.

"I thought Chris was efficient," Padres manager Buddy Bell said. "What I liked about Chris was he had three pitches working ... fastball command, good slider and had a good change-up. I thought he threw the ball well."

Young gave up solo home runs to Butler to lead off the fifth and Mark Grudzielanek to leadoff the fourth. Both were on first-pitch fastballs.

Royals right-hander Brian Bannister held the Padres to two runs and eight hits over six innings, while striking out six and walking none. Tadahito Iguchi's home run with Callix Crabbe aboard in the fifth were the only runs Bannister permitted.

Jimmy Gobble, the fourth Kansas City pitcher, took the loss, walking two in the 10th and throwing a wild pitch before being replaced by Joel Peralta. Jose Lobaton's pinch single with two outs scored Craig Stansberry with the winning run.

Game notes
The Padres released OF Jeff DaVanon and C Robert Fick, both big league veterans who had signed minor league contracts. The Padres have 40 players left in camp. ... RHP Hideo Nomo threw a perfect inning, striking out one, in his quest to earn a Royals' bullpen spot.