SAN DIEGO -- Clayton Richard pitched six shutout innings and the San Diego Padres beat the Kansas City Royals 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Chase Headley and Jesus Guzman hit back-to-back homers off Kansas City left-hander Jonathan Sanchez with two out in the third inning.

Richard allowed just three singles while striking out five and walking none.

"It's going to be hard to repeat that effort consistently," Padres catcher Nick Hundley said. "But if he can come anywhere close to that, he's going to have a big year. If he has a big year, we'll have a big year."

One that Richard is eager to get started.

"With the progress I made late in spring it's time to get ready to start producing," he said. "I'm definitely ready for the regular season to begin."

Brayan Pena homered for Kansas City in the seventh inning.

Sanchez allowed two runs and four hits in three innings.

Richard had allowed 14 earned runs in 14 innings over his four previous spring starts.

"That's a great ending to the spring for him," Padres manager Bud Black said. "He struggled a lot but has come on a lot at the end."

Game notes
The Padres optioned RHP Brad Brach and INF Everth Cabrera to Triple-A Tucson. They also added of Jeremy Hermida to the 40-man roster, making room by placing LHP Jose De Paula on the restricted list while he's resolving visa issues in the Dominican Republic. They also placed Mark Kotsay (mild right calf strain) on the 15-day disabled list.