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By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) -- Brian Bannister had a mediocre start and Joel Peralta had a worse finish Sunday as the Kansas City Royals pitching staff continues to struggle in spring training games.

Bannister, who won 12 games as a rookie, gave up four runs, one unearned, on seven hits and a hit batter in three innings in his first start, an 8-7 loss to the Texas Rangers.

''It wasn't as sharp as I'm sure Bannister would have liked for it to have been,'' Royals manager Trey Hillman said. ''I'd like for it to be a little sharper, especially with fastball location, but he threw some good pitches and got back into a rhythm.''

The Royals took a 7-5 lead into the ninth after Mario Lisson homered in the eighth, but Peralta could not hold it. He retired only one of the five batters he faced and allowed three runs on three hits, including a two-run homer to Ryan Roberts to tie the score. Ramon Vazquez ended the game with an RBI single.

''Joel's pitches weren't very sharp and weren't very crisp,'' Hillman said. ''They are going to look for something up and out over the plate, and that's where the pitches were. Unfortunately, the command wasn't there and it turned out bad for us.''

The Royals pitching staff has an 8.39 earned run average in the first four games.

On the plus side, Kyle Davies and Luke Hochevar allowed just one run and four hits in five innings of relief between Bannister and Peralta. Davies gave up a run in three innings, while Hochevar threw two scoreless innings.

''Both were very good,'' Hillman said. ''I was impressed with Kyle getting back in his delivery several times after getting out of it. He had a real good breaking ball at times. It's early, but I've been impressed with Luke's stuff, with his confidence level and the perception of him being in control on the mound.''

The Royals have given up 29 runs in losing three games to the Rangers.

Notes: 1B Ryan Shealy, who was out four days with the flu, played in a simulated game but is still weak. OF-1B Justin Huber and OF Chris Lubanski also are out with the virus. ... LHP Mike Maroth, who was held out of a game Saturday with a tender shoulder, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Monday. If all goes well, he could pitch Thursday against Arizona. ... 3B Alex Gordon left camp Sunday to return to Lincoln, Neb., to attend his grandfather's funeral on Monday.