Royals Recap: Luis Mendoza Gets Bombed; Lorenzo Cain Comes Up Big by Joel Wagler

May 1, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals second baseman Elliot Johnson (23) celebrates after hitting a home run in the third inning of the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

ABOUT LAST NIGHT…

For the second night in a row the Royals dug themselves an early hole and climbed back out of it for a win. Everybody in the lineup either drove in a run or scored a run and Elliott Johnson hit is first home run of the season in the 9-8 win. All nine runs were needed in an effort to pick up Luis Mendoza who gave up six runs in four innings in his first start since April 12. Bruce Chen calmed the storm with two scoreless innings in relief to help give the Royals a chance to get back into the game. Collins gave up two runs in the seventh but Aaron Crow and Greg Holland got the next seven batters out in a row to close things down.

The Royals are now 15-10 and in first place by a half-game over the Detroit Tigers.

It would appear the Branden Albert-to-Miami deal is now officially dead. Miami was unwilling to offer more than a third round pick for Albert, which was a price too low in the Chiefs minds. I agree.

Kansas City also traded Javier Arenas to the Arizona Cardinals yesterday. The deal brings in another fullback into the mix, Anthony Sherman. Sherman is a noted special teams player and will compete with Braden Wilson for the roster spot. The decision to trade Arenas probably means Arenas was going to be the odd man out in the Chiefs newly revamped secondary.

IN OTHER NEWS…

– The Arenas trade is a reflection of Pioli’s failed tenure. (KC Kingdom)

– A look at the Royals April home runs. (Kings of Kauffman)

– A small group is trying to bring an old school style back to Kauffman. (Kings of Kauffman)

– What the Chiefs could have done differently in the draft. (Arrowhead Addict)

– Sherman trade complicates things for Braden Wilson. (Jug of Snyder)

– Klein has a long road to haul if he’s going to make it in the NFL. (Capital Journal)

ELSEWHERE AND EVERYWHERE…

– Chris Kelly of Kris Kross fame has died. 34.

– You can spend the afterlife in a Royals urn. Um, no.

– Tom Ricketts threatens to move Cubs out of Wrigley Field. Won’t happen.

– This fan-made jersey is just awesome. John Buck.

GIF OF THE WEEK

Jeff Francoeur gave third base coach Eddie Rodriguez a well-timed nut tap Tuesday night after his triple. (CBS Sports)

ONE MORE THING…

This was a bad idea.