McArthur blows save, Royals fall 8-6

McArthur is not helped out at home, but he still gave up those hits.

James McArthur was unable to hold a one-run lead, giving up his fifth blown save of the year as the Diamondbacks defeated the Royals 8-6 on Wednesday evening, taking the series.

Royals starter Michael Wacha had some issues with the long ball early on. He gave up a second-inning solo home run to Eugenio Suarez to put Arizona on the board, then gave up back-to-back home runs in the fourth to Joc Pederson and Christian Walker.

The Royals would get those runs back, however, and then some. Freddy Fermin singled off Diamondbacks starter Ryne Nelson, and scored on a double by Drew Waters. The Royals had some other scoring opportunities but were plagued by double plays. They finally broke through in the bottom of the fourth, avoiding a potential rally-killing double play. Michael Massey began with a double, and with one out, Drew Waters walked. Maikel Garcia hit a tailor-made double-play, but it was mishandled by second baseman Ketel Marte, and the Diamondbacks could only get one out, allowing Massey to score. Kyle Isbel made it hurt with an RBI triple to tie the game, then scored himself on a wild pitch to give the Royals the lead.

Wacha carried a 4-3 lead into the fifth, but was unable to complete the inning and qualify for the win. He exited with two outs, just the third time this season he did not go at least five innings. He struck out just one, walked one, and gave up six hits.

Angel Zerpa and Sam Long each pitched well in relief, but Hunter Harvey ran into trouble in the eighth. Corbin Carroll reached base after getting hit by Harvey, then stole second on a 3-0 count. He advanced to third on a groundout by Ketel Marte, and Harvey intentionally walked Joc Pederon to put runners on the corner. But Harvey was able to get Christian Walker to hit a shallow fly to right and Jake McCarthy grounded out to end the threat, helped by a huge block behind the plate by Salvador Perez to avoid a game-tying wild pitch.

The Diamondbacks rally in the ninth began with a one-out infield single by Lourdes Gurriel off Royals closer James McArthur. McArthur throw a pitch in the bottom of the zone to Gerardo Perdomo that appeared to be a strike, and Salvador Perez appeared to throw out Gurriel at second on a steal attempt to end the game. But the pitch was called ball four, and everyone was safe, extending the inning.

Gabriel Moreno immediately doubled home two runs, giving Arizona the lead for McArthur’s fifth blown save of the year. After a Corbin Caroll single, Ketel Marte hit his third home run of the series, a three-run blast to make it 8-4 Diamondbacks.

The Royals did make things interesting in the ninth. Maikel Garcia singled, and Bobby Witt continued his hot hitting with his third hit of the day. Vinnie Pasquantino singled home two runs, but Salvador Perez flew out to end the game.

The Royals fall to 56-47 and will take tomorrow off before the Chicago Cubs come to town for a three-game series this weekend.