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Diamondbacks rally, hand Royals fifth straight setback

May 23, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Pavin Smith (26) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Ketel Marte had two hits, including a tiebreaking two-run double, as the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Kansas City Royals 9-5 Monday night in the opening game of a two-game series in Phoenix.

It was the Royals’ fifth straight loss.

The Diamondbacks spotted the Royals a 4-0 lead after a half-inning but six relievers kept the Royals scoreless in the final 5 1/3 innings.

J.B. Wendelken (1-1) was the winning pitcher.

Arizona starter Zach Davies left in the top of the fourth inning after taking a 112-mph Bobby Witt Jr. line drive off his right leg. He allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings.

Zack Greinke (0-3) allowed seven earned runs in 3 2/3 innings. He struck out a season-high five and walked a season-high four.

With his fifth strikeout of the night, Greinke tied Mickey Lolich for 21st on the all-time list with 2,832. But he struggled with his control. His four walks matched his total number in 44 innings this season.

Whit Merrifield put the Royals on top with a leadoff home run on the first pitch he saw from Davies. One out later, Witt and Hunter Dozier hit back-to-back homers to left.

The Royals scored their fourth run on a groundout by Kyle Isbel.

The Diamondbacks responded in their half of the first. Daulton Varsho doubled leading off and Pavin Smith followed with a two-run home run. Christian Walker also homered to cut the deficit to 4-3.

Merrifield led off the second with an infield single. He stole second, and when the throw got away, he raced to an uncovered third base. An errant throw allowed him to reach third and then score the Royals’ fifth run.

The Diamondbacks tied the game in the third. Greinke walked the first two batters, and both runners came around to score on a single by David Peralta and a groundout by Jake McCarthy.

The Diamondbacks took the lead on Marte’s double. They added two more runs in the seventh to ice the victory.

–Field Level Media

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