Vargas tosses 2 scoreless as Royals beat Padres 7-3 in rain shortened game

SURPRISE, Ariz. – Jason Vargas pitched two scoreless innings in his Kansas City debut and Alex Gordon doubled home two runs as the Royals beat the San Diego Padres 7-3 that was called after seven innings Saturday because of rain.

Vargas, who signed to a four-year $32 million contract in the offseason, allowed one hit and struck out one, throwing 13 strikes in 19 pitches. The Royals signed Vargas to replace Ervin Santana, who remains unsigned on the free agent market, in the rotation.

Gordon's double in the four-run third scored Christian Colon and Jarrod Dyson, who walked twice and scored a pair of runs.

Cameron Maybin, who was limited to 14 Padres games last year because of injuries, hit a long two-run homer in the third.

Padres right-hander Ian Kennedy threw two scoreless innings, striking out two.