Melendez homers, but offense otherwise listless in 6-1 loss to Diamondbacks

MJ Melendez homers for the only run.

MJ Melendez homered for the only Royals run in a 6-1 loss to the Diamondbacks on Friday. The Royals managed just four hits for the second game in a row.

Kris Bubic got the start and looked pretty impressive over his two innings of work. He struck out two hitters each inning, working around a hit in each frame. He threw 28 pitches, 19 for strikes.

Hunter Harvey, working back from a back injury last year, threw just ten pitches in the third. He gave up a leadoff 407-foot triple to Jorge Barrosa, allowing him to score on a Corbin Carroll single for the game’s first run. Sam Long gave up a pair of home runs in the fifth to Carroll and Gino Groover to make it 4-0.

The Royals didn’t do much against MLB pitchers Merrill Kelly, Ryne Nelson, and All-Star Joe Mantiply in the first five frames. MJ Melendez homered off Kevin Ginkel in the sixth to finally put the Royals on the board.

Angel Zerpa and Taylor Clarke each pitched scoreless frames before Tyson Guerrero gave up two in the ninth. Maikel Garcia went 1-for-3 playing centerfield, and Michael Massey went 0-for-2 with a walk playing left field. Jac Caglianone went 0-for-2 in his first start at first base.

The Royals will have an evening game tomorrow evening, hosting the Cubs at 7:05 CT, and you can follow that game on 96.5 The Fan.