Royals Recap: Cardinals Score 4 In 8th On Crow; Gordon Has 3 Hits

For a little while, it looked like the Kansas City Royals (21-29) would end their 7-game losing skid but the St. Louis Cardinals (35-17) pounded Aaron Crow in the 8th inning for the comeback victory.

May 29, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Luis Mendoza (39) hits a one run single off of St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn (not pictured) during the fifth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

Luis Mendoza did his job. He went 5.2 innings, surrendering just 1 run on 6 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 5 on the night. Mendoza also helped himself with an RBI single in the 5th. Tim Collins and J.C. Gutierrez relieved Mendoza and got the game to the 8th inning with a 3-1 lead. Ned Yost went to his primary set up guy, Aaron Crow, who promptly surrendered 4 runs, 5 hits and a walk while only recording just 2 outs. Game over, losing streak continues.

At the Plate

Alex Gordon produced his 23rd multi-hit game of the season by going 3-4 on the night, and Alcides Escobar, and David Lough each added 2 hits. More importantly, Mike Moustakas got two ground balls through the infield for a couple of base knocks. Maybe he can come out of his funk and  actually help this team at some point. Gordon’s hits are being wasted because no one else in the line up is hitting consist

This and That

Last night, Chicago Cub catcher Dioner Navarro and Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals hit 6 combined home runs in 7 at bats, and drove in 10. Eric Hosmer, Jeff Francoeur, and Moustakas have hit 6 total home runs in 474 at bats. They have driven in 35 – total. Navarro now has 6 homers himself on the year, in 58 at bats. See, anyone can do it.

Luis Mendoza’s RBI matches Jeff Francoeur’s RBI total since May 2nd – 1. That really isn’t a fair comparison because Francoeur hasn’t been playing every day.

The Royals are now in their comfort zone – last place in the AL Central.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

I have to go with Mendoza. His nice outing on the mound, plus the fact he had one of the Royals’ 3 RBI in the game, make it an easy choice. He deserved the win.

• James Shields – 5
• Alex Gordon – 9
  
• Wade Davis – 2
• Lorenzo Cain – 4
• Luis Mendoza – 2
• Billy Butler – 5
• Ervin Santana – 3
• Miguel Tejada – 3
  
• Jeremy Guthrie -3
• Eric Hosmer
• Chris Getz
• Mike Moustakas – 3
  
• Aaron Crow
• Jarrod Dyson
• David Lough – 2
• Alcides Escobar
• J.C. Gutierrez

The Cardinals

Carlos Beltran‘s home run in the 8th made him the All-Time Home Run leader in interleague play with 16. He was tied with his former Royals’ teammate Mike Sweeney. The Cards’ top 2 starters, Adam Wainwright and Lance Lynn gave up 20 combined hits to the punchless Royals in the last 2 games, yet neither took a loss. The Cardinals, at 35-17, have the best record in baseball. If in the same division, they would have a 3-game lead on the Royals next opponent, the Texas Rangers, who sport the best mark in the American League  at 32-20.

Up Next

Jeremy Guthrie (5-3, 3.92 ERA) will now try to stop the streak against a youngster making his major league debut, Michael Wacha. Guthrie, who went 18 starts without a loss, has now lost his last 3.

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (29-22): Miguel Cabrera homered but it wasn’t enough as Anibal Sanchez gave up 5 runs in the loss to the Pirates.

Cleveland Indians (28-24 ): Justin Masterson continues to be the ace. He allowed just 1 run in 6 innings, striking out 7. mark Reynolds and Jason Giambi homed in the 5-2 win.

Chicago White Sox (24-26): John Danks second start since returning from the DL was not has good as his first. he allowed 4 runs (1 unearned) in just 4 innings. Brian Omogrosso also got beat up for 3 runs in 1 inning of work.

Minnesota Twins (22-28): Samuel Deduno worked 7 terrific innings against the Brewers Wednesday, giving up just 1 run on 4 hits. Rookie Aaron Hicks hit his 6th home run of the season.