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Royals Recap: Lorenzo Cain Shines In Win Over Angels; Jarrod Dyson Injures Ankle

By Joel Wagler

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It doesn’t matter if the Los Angeles Angels (15-25) are struggling or not. The Kansas City Royals (20-17) have to be thrilled to escape the City of Angels by winning the series two games to one after taking down Pujols, Hamilton, Trout, and Company on Wednesday night 9-5.

May 13, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain (6) gestures after scoring in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

Wade Davis continued his mediocrity as a starting pitcher. There is a chance some of his struggles on Wednesday were due to an extremely long top of the third inning by the Royals offense but that shouldn’t be an excuse. He has not been consistent all season. He allowed 9 hits and 3 walks in 5.1 innings. Four runs scored to push his ERA to an unacceptable 5.98. Kelvin Herrera served up his 7th home run on the season (only 4 last year), a blast by Mike Trout in the 8th.

At the Plate

Lorenzo Cain is establishing himself as a legitimate force in the line-up. He went 2-5 in the game with 2 doubles, 2 runs scored, and 3 RBI on the night. Cain’s slash stands at .323/.383/.444/.827 on the season. Alex Gordon added three hits to the cause, pushing his average to .331. Salvador Perez (.303) and Elliot Johnson (.302) each had two hits and join to the .300 club.

This and That

Jarrod Dyson walked and scored and he hit a RBI triple, all in the third inning. He later tried to climb the fence on Mike Trout’s home run and sprained his ankle. No word on the seriousness of the injury as of yet.

Alex Gordon had his league leading 19th multi-hit game of the season.

The Royals had 5 extra base hits, including 4 doubles and 1 triple, but no homers.

A day after announcing his retirement, Royals broadcasting casting legend Fred White passed away. I grew up on a farm in the 1970’s and 1980’s and I can’t tell you how many nights Fred White and Denny Matthews brought the game of baseball to life through the radio. Many summer nights, I spent hunched over, my ear inches away from a beat up old radio as I drove the tractor, working the fields, until sundown. I will forever remember those nights and how White and Matthews helped ingrain in me my love for the Royals and the game of baseball. R.I.P Fred White.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Cain’s big game earned him his third KCK POG.

The Angels

Trout, Albert Pujols, Howie Kendrick, and former Royal Alberto Callaspo all had 2 hits on the night. If the Angels continue to scuffle, could second baseman Howie Kendrick be made available for a trade? It is an interesting question for the Royals down the road.

Up Next

The Royals are off on Thursday before moving up the coast Friday for a 3-game series in Oakland. James Shields (2-3, 2.48 ERA) will hope for some run support against Jarrod Parker (2-5, 6.86 ERA) at 9:05.

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (22-16): The Tigers actually dropped one to the Astros 7-5. Miguel Cabrera just missed a walk-off grand slam in the 9th. Detroit goes to Texas this weekend for a 4-games series against the Rangers.

Cleveland Indians (22-17): The Indians pulled with in half a game of the Tigers after a 10-4 victory over the Phillies. Jason Kipnis went 3-4 with a homer, 3 runs, and 3 RBI. Nick Swisher added a dinger as well as the Indians pummeled Cole Hamels and the Phillies 10-4.

Minnesota Twins (17-18): After falling to the White Sox, the Twins fell below .500. Jamey Carroll, Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau all had multi-hit games and Eduardo Escobar hit his second career home run in the loss.

Chicago White Sox (17-21): Chicago is trying to claw their way back into the AL Central race with another win over the Twins. Adam Dunn Homered twice and Dayan Viciedo once in the victory. Dunn was 3-4 with 2 runs, and 5 batted in to go with the dingers.

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