Luis Mendoza News

OAKLAND – Shortly after his manager said before Sunday's game that he has been trying to "fight his way out" of his recent slump by being more aggressive, Yoenis Cespedes swung at the first pitch he saw from Royals starter Luis Mendoza and popped out to the catcher.

Billy Butler broke out of a severe slump with five hits and five RBIs, and the Kansas City Royals kept Joe Blanton winless in eight starts this season with an 11-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night.

The Kansas City Royals try to move beyond a rough outing as they close out a three-game set with the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards on Thursday night.

Those pitching matchups came about because Kansas City and Detroit were rained out Tuesday night.

Mike Moustakas entered Tuesday's series opener in Detroit with a .158 average after going just 2-for-19 on the first five games of the Royals' eight-game road trip.