CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) _ Tyler Green left the Phillies during the offseason with a reputation as being an injury-prone underachiever. Facing his old team for the first time, the former All-Star didn't do anything to change the opinion.

Now with Kansas City, Green didn't make it out of the third inning of his start against the Phillies, who beat the Royals 9-4 Monday.

Green allowed four runs and six hits in 2 2-3 innings, walked four and hit a batter.

A first-round pick by Philadelphia in 1991, Green spent his entire career in the Phillies organization until signing with Kansas City as a free agent on Nov. 10. He was an All-Star as a rookie in 1995, but had two arm operations and ended his career in Philadelphia with an 18-25 record and 5.16 ERA.

Green came to camp slotted as the Royals' No. 5 starter, then became even more assured of a spot in the rotation when right-hander Blake Stein cracked his right forearm Feb. 29. Green spent last season rehabbing his shoulder at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, going 4-6 with a 7.89 ERA.

The Phillies scored one in the first, two in the second and one in the third against Green. Mike Lieberthal led off the second with his second homer.

A good-hitting pitcher, Green drove in the Royals' first run with a single in the second off Robert Person.

Person has followed a shaky first start with consecutive strong outings. The right-hander gave up one run and three hits in three innings, lowering his ERA to 5.19.

Joe Randa homered started the fourth with a homer against Joe Grahe.

Bobby Abreu went 3-for-4, hiking his spring average to .550.

Kansas City's Gregg Zaun, acquired from Detroit last Tuesday, was 3-for-3 with a double and two runs.