Duffy makes return for Royals after playing for U.S.

Danny Duffy stepped off the big stage and back into spring training.

Following a stint with Team USA at the World Baseball Classic, Duffy allowed three runs over six innings for the Kansas City Royals in a 4-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners.

It was Duffy’s first start with the Royals since March 5 because of the international tournament. He allowed three hits and a walk.

“This might be my first quality start in spring training ever,” Duffy said. “I’m excited about that. Everything clicked in the fourth, fifth and sixth. I wanted to go back out for the seventh, but we threw a few more pitches in the ‘pen. Today, I’m very pleased with the results.”

Duffy went 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA in two WBC outings, Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Danny Duffy throws against the Seattle Mariners on Friday. striking out eight over eight innings. He picked up the victory against the Dominican Republic in the semifinals.

Not only did Duffy return, but Salvador Perez was behind the plate for the first time since March 12th when he injured his left knee and left elbow in a collision at the plate while playing for Venezuela in the WBC against Italy. Strangely, it was Royals backup Drew Butera that collided with Perez.

“Everything was good, everything was perfect,” Perez said.

Seattle’s Kyle Seager hit a two-run homer off Duffy and Mitch Haniger doubled home a run. Starter Hisashi Iwakuma went 5 2/3 innings, allowing a run and striking out four.

Angels no-hit Mariners

Bud Norris and seven relievers combined on a spring training no-hitter for the Los Angeles Angles in a 4-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

Norris struck out two over two perfect innings, and Jose Alvarez, Cam Bedrosian and Andrew Bailey followed with a perfect inning each. Austin Adams walked Zach Shank during the sixth inning, and then Drew Gagnon, Justin Anderson and Abel De Los Santos closed up shop with a perfect inning each.

Bailey struck out three during the fifth inning, and the Angels pitchers totaled 12 strikeouts.

Norris took a no-hitter into the seventh inning while pitching for Houston against St. Louis on June 8, 2011.

Yankees 3, Phillies 2

C.C. Sabathia went 5 1/3 innings and allowed two runs and nine hits. He dropped his spring ERA to 6.75.

Tommy Joseph had two hits and Freddy Galvis drove in a pair of runs with a single for Philadelphia. Jeremy Hellickson gave up a run, five hits and a walk over 6 1/3 innings.

JOHN SLEEZER — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS