The second time wasn't the charm for Luis Mendoza.
Mendoza, who pitcher well last Sunday against the defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals, didn't escape the fifth inning, as the Cardinals have jumped out to a 4-0 lead over the Royals after the first five innings of play.
Mendoza got himself into trouble in the third inning, issuing a two-out walk to Cardinals shortstop Rafael Furcal. Jon Jay followed up Furcal's walk with a single, before Matt Holliday singled, scoring Furcal, and giving the Cardinals a 1-0 lead.
St. Louis knocked Mendoza out in the fifth inning. Mendoza retired Tony Cruz, who is playing in place of Yadier Molina, to start the third. The wheels fell off the wagon from there, though, as four straight singles from Daniel Descalso, Rafael Furcal, Jon Jay and Matt Holliday gave the Cards a 3-0 lead.
Former Royals outfielder Carlos Beltran singled off of Kelvin Herrera, who relieved Mendoza, giving the Cards a 4-0 edge.
Kansas City's offense, meanwhile, has been unable to solve the Cardinals' co-ace Adam Wainwright. Alex Gordon singled on a bunt to Wainwright in the first inning, but the Royals would not record another hit until the bottom half of the fifth, when Alcides Escobar singled. Through five innings, Wainwright has allowed just two hits and has issued just one walk while striking out three.
We'll see if Kansas City can mount a comeback, but once again, it looks like KC's bullpen will get taxed.