In a rare night game during spring training, the KC Royals were shut down by the Texas Rangers, 8-2. Their scoring came late on Monday night (via Brandon Wood‘s double), while Texas’ came early and often against Ervin Santana.

Santana allowed six runs on ten hits over just four innings. He had pitched well so far this spring (just two runs allowed over nine innings in his first four starts). Was last night’s start a sign of things to come or just a blip on the radar?

The Royals offense was shut down by Derek Lowe to start, then a rookie (Joe Ortiz), and then a guy who hasn’t pitched in the big leagues in a few years (Nate Robertson).

In good news, shortstop Alcides Escobar returned to the lineup after missing six games (I didn’t get a chance to see him play while I was out in Arizona). He went 0-for-3 in the game. Centerfielder Lorenzo Cain continues to hit, as he went 2-for-2.

Next up for the Royals, they welcome the Colorado Rockies to Surprise. Jeremy Guthrie is scheduled to start on Tuesday, while Greg Holland is also scheduled to pitch.

*The Royals made massive cuts on Monday, as they trimmed their spring roster down to 40. First, they cut the fifth rotation spot down to just two pitchers, Bruce Chen and Luis Mendoza. Will Smith and Yordano Ventura were both sent to minor league camp. Other pitchers who were sent to minor league camp include Nate Adcock, Everett Teaford, Blaine Boyer, Michael Mariot, and Brian Sanches. Mariot has put himself on the team’s radar after a successful 2012 season and a very good spring, where opponents hit just .120 against him.

Then the Royals cut some position players. Christian Colon, Adam Moore, Anthony Seratelli, Brandon Wood, and Willy Taveras were all cut following Monday night’s game. Moore lost out to Brett Hayes and George Kottaras for the backup catcher’s role. Neither of those two impressed me while I was in Arizona, while Moore hit (.320 with two homeruns). But Moore did not catch much. Taveras also hit (.406), but did not play at all last season.