Also, rookie right-hander Mike Parisi, who has suffered three losses in relief, was sent back to Class AAA Memphis, and lefty Mark Mulder finally was activated from the disabled list for the first time this season.

Mulder, fighting to recover his form after two shoulder surgeries, recently had back spasms while on a medical-rehabilitation option, and he was declared out of Saturday night's start in Kansas City. But, with the Cardinals having only one left-hander, Ron Villone, in their bullpen -- and on their roster, for that matter -- Mulder will be pressed into service.

Villone, who has struggled lately, had another disappointing outing Friday in Kansas City, allowing a bases-loaded double to left-handed-hitting Royals left fielder David DeJesus that put the game away.

Earlier, right-hander Joel Pineiro, who had given up only four earned runs in his last three starts -- all no-decisions -- allowed twice that many to third baseman Alex Gordon, who hit a solo homer and three-run double.

ROYALS 7, CARDINALS 2: Kansas City clinched the Missouri state series with two games to play by beating the Cardinals for the fourth straight time. In those games, started by four different Kansas City pitchers, the Royals have held the Cardinals to five runs. Only 3B Troy Glaus had a decent night Friday, getting three hits and driving in both runs, one with his 11th homer.