Sosa Finds Power Stroke Against Royals

Boston Red Sox pitcher Jonathan Papelbon sits in the dugout with a towel around his arm after pitching the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at City of Palms Park, Fort Myers, Fla., Saturday, March 3, 2007. (AP Photo/Brita Meng Outzen) (Brita Meng Outzen - AP)

-- Sammy Sosa found his power stroke, Kenny Rogers finally gave up a run and the Arizona Diamondbacks made it two triple plays in one weekend at spring training.

Showing he still has a few big swings in his bat, Sosa hit his first home run in 19 months Sunday to help the Texas Rangers beat the Kansas City Royals 5-0 in Surprise, Ariz.

"It was good to get the first one out of the way," said Sosa, attempting a comeback after sitting out last season. "That was huge for me. Everyone wanted me to do that."

The former Chicago Cubs slugger, who has 588 career homers, drove a 1-1 pitch from Luke Hudson over the left-center fence to lead off the second inning. It was Sosa's first home run since Aug. 4, 2005, with Baltimore.

Sosa signed a minor league contract with the Rangers, his original team, during the offseason. He struck out and flied out in his other two at-bats Sunday. He started in right field after being Texas' designated hitter Saturday and in a "B" game Friday.

"I feel a lot more relaxed," Sosa said. "I feel physically stronger."

Rogers is enjoying himself, too.

The much-maligned left-hander, who pitched 23 straight scoreless innings in the 2006 postseason, gave up two runs _ one earned _ and three hits for Detroit in a 7-4 victory over the Cleveland Indians at Winter Haven, Fla.

After tossing two innings in his first start of the spring, he spent an hour signing autographs and chatting with fans before heading to the clubhouse.

"It's a beautiful day. I'm content and having the most fun ever," said the 42-year-old Rogers, preparing for his 19th major league season after leading the Tigers to the World Series last year.

"I've changed my spring approach to not being concerned about getting people out," he said. "I work on getting one pitch refined, then another, then another."

Rogers struggled a bit with his command. He hit one batter with a pitch and walked another in the first inning. He gave up two hits and a second run in the second, but avoided more trouble by getting Grady Sizemore to hit into a double play.