Sports
Diamondbacks edge Royals 5-4 on Walker’s sprint home
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Christian Walker scampered home for the go-ahead run in the eighth inning on Nick Ahmed’s infield single, leading the Arizona Diamondbacks past the Kansas City Royals 5-4 on Monday night
PHOENIX — Christian Walker scampered home for the go-ahead run in the eighth inning on Nick Ahmed’s infield single, leading the Arizona Diamondbacks past the Kansas City Royals 5-4 on Monday night.
Ahmed — who was pinch hitting — brought home Walker on a one-out infield single off reliever Aroldis Chapman. Ahmed hit the ball off the end of his bat and the result was essentially a swinging bunt down the first base line. Vinnie Pasquantino tried to get Walker at home, but the throw was late.
The NL West leading D-backs improved to 13-11. The Royals have lost nine of their last 10 and fell to 5-18.
D-backs lefty Andrew Chafin (2-0) got the win with 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. He struck out Salvador Perez and Franmil Reyes to end the game.
Edward Olivares hit a solo homer in the first to give the Royals an early lead, but the Diamondbacks built a 4-2 advantage by the fourth, scoring two runs in both the second and third off Kansas City starter Brad Keller.
Keller struggled with his command, giving up four runs in four innings on four hits and six walks. He threw 95 pitches. Chapman (0-1) took the loss.
Arizona’s Tommy Henry threw 4 1/3 innings in his first start of the season, giving up three runs on four hits and four walks. The left-hander was called up from Triple-A to take the rotation spot of four-time All-Star Madison Bumgarner, who was designated for assignment last week.
The Royals cut the D-backs lead to 4-3 in the fifth on Perez’s RBI double and then tied the game in the eighth on Kyle Isbel’s RBI single.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Royals: Reyes was re-instated from the paternity list. INF Nate Eaton was sent to Triple-A Omaha.
Diamondbacks: To make room for Henry on the roster, RHP Drey Jameson was optioned to Triple-A Reno. … 1B Christian Walker was out of the starting lineup for a second straight game after getting hit by a pitch on the left forearm Saturday. He pinch hit in the eighth.
UP NEXT
The three-game series continues on Tuesday. The Royals will send RHP Brady Singer (1-2, 8.14 ERA) to the mound. The D-backs will counter with RHP Ryne Nelson (1-0, 4.91).
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