If the Royals are going to remain in the American League Central race all year -- and they are in first place after a victory Sunday over the Twins -- they are going to need a healthy Joakim Soria to close games and Gil Meche to start every fifth day. 

The Kansas City Royals should have known Zack Greinke was in for some early success after he shut down the Chicago White Sox in his 2009 debut. 

TOM POWERS 

Enough with the lessons. 

Jose Morales will take one more bruise, one more reminder of a catcher's life, with him to Rochester. 

Sitting in the Kansas City dugout watching Scott Baker go for a no-hitter, Willie Bloomquist and the Royals wondered aloud how to hex the Minnesota ace. 

Kansas City placed Tony Pena Jr. 

From pitches in the wrong places to foolish baserunning and bobbled groundballs, the list of blunders by both teams was long. 

Umpires at the Metrodome on Saturday night for the Royals-Twins game were hoping for no close home run calls. 

Gil Meche insists a nagging back problem won't keep him off the mound. 

May 2, 2009 (Gothamist delivered byNewstex) -- 

With RHP Joakim Soria nursing a sore shoulder, the Royals have a big vacancy at the end of their bullpen. 

With RHP Joakim Soria nursing a sore shoulder, the Royals have a big vacancy at the end of their bullpen. 

Joakim Soria was not needed, but at least he was available to the Royals. 

--The Royals finished April with a 12-10 record, only their second winning April in the past 20 years.