Gordon, Volquez lead KC over Cards in rain-shortened game

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Alex Gordon hit a two-run homer, Edinson Volquez pitched six solid innings and the Kansas City Royals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 Saturday night in a game called in the sixth inning because of rain.

The Royals improved to 28-14, the best record in the majors.

The game was stopped as Kansas City came to bat in the sixth, and was called after a wait of 70 minutes.

Volquez (4-3) gave up four hits and walked three. He gave up a run in the second, snapping a streak of 27 consecutive shutout innings by the Royals' rotation.

Gordon homered in the second inning off John Lackey (2-3). Gordon is 7 for 14 with two home runs in his career against the right-hander.

Jhonny Peralta doubled to lead off the Cardinals' second and Volquez walked Randal Grichuk and Matt Adams to load the bases with none out. Peralta scored on Yadier Molina's grounder.

Eric Hosmer doubled to begin the Kansas City fourth and scored on Salvador Perez's single to give the Royals a 3-1 lead.

Matt Carpenter's single in the fifth scored Peter Bourjos for the second Cardinals run. The Cardinals had the bases loaded with one out after Matt Holliday was hit by a pitch, but Volquez induced Peralta to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Trainer's room

Cardinals: OF Jason Heyward did not start because of tightness in his hip. ... RHP Lance Lynn suffered back cramps in the first inning in his Friday start, but labored through six innings. "It's the first time this has happened," Lynn said. "We'll get it fixed and get going again."

Royals: 3B Mike Moustakas was removed after four innings with a bruised left collarbone. He was injured on Molina's hard hopper in the second inning. ... Backup C Erik Kratz (left plantar fasciitis) homered Friday for Triple-A Omaha while on a rehab assignment. ... OF Alex Rios (fractured left hand) may begin a minor league rehab assignment in the next few days.

Up next

Cardinals: RHP Michael Wacha, who is 6-0, makes his ninth start in the series finale today. He is winless in two career starts against the Royals.

Royals: RHP Yordano Ventura will oppose Wacha. The two squared off last June 3 and Ventura prevailed, giving up two runs and seven hits in six innings in a 3-2 victory.