Sammy Sosa had something to hop about for the first time in a while.

Showing he's still got some pop in his bat, Sosa hit his first home run in 19 months to help the Texas Rangers beat the Kansas City Royals 5-0 on Sunday 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, whose trademark hop out of the batter's box came with many of his 588 career homers, drove a 1-1 pitch from Luke Hudson over the left-center fence to lead off the second inning. Sosa last homered with Baltimore on Aug. 4, 2005.

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."

At Tucson, Ariz., the Diamondbacks turned a triple play and beat the Seattle Mariners 6-4 in a split-squad game — the second triple play in two days at spring training.

With runners on first and second and none out in the second inning, Michael Garciaparra lined Edgar Gonzalez's pitch to shortstop Stephen Drew. He stepped on second base to retire Mike Morse, then threw to first baseman Tony Clark to get Michael Wilson and complete the triple play.

Garciaparra is the younger brother of Los Angeles Dodgers star Nomar Garciaparra.