Pinch hitter Lars Nootbaar’s sacrifice fly scored automatic runner Corbin Carroll to snap a scoreless tie in the 10th inning as the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks hung on for a 5-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday.
Gabriel Moreno, Nolan Arenado and Ildemaro Vargas each had two hits for the D-backs (77-68). Salvador Perez was 3-for-5 with a double and three RBIs, and Vinnie Pasquantino added two hits for the Royals (64-81).
Justin Martinez (2-0) earned the win, throwing a scoreless ninth with one walk and one strikeout. Dennis Santana earned his third save, striking out one during a perfect two-thirds of an inning in the 10th.
Vargas’ bunt single off Royals reliever Craig Kimbrel (1-4) advanced Carroll to third to open the 10th before Nootbaar’s sacrifice fly to deep center gave the D-backs a 1-0 advantage.
Adrian Del Castillo popped out in foul territory and Ryan Waldschmidt singled to give Arizona runners at first and second. Geraldo Perdomo then singled to right, and Vargas and Waldschmidt both scored on John Rave’s fielding error for a 3-0 lead.
After the Royals intentionally walked Ketel Marte, Moreno and Arenado connected on consecutive run-scoring singles off Kimbrel for a 5-0 advantage.
The Royals answered with a four-run 10th. Kyle Isbel walked to open the frame, and Carter Jensen followed with a double to plate automatic runner Isaac Collins. Bobby Witt Jr. was then hit by a pitch to load the bases against reliever Gerardo Carrillo.
Pasquantino struck out swinging before Perez’s three-run double cleared the bases to pull the Royals within 5-4. Santana relieved Carrillo and coaxed Michael Massey to fly out to center, allowing pinch runner Tyler Tolbert to tag and advance to third with the game-tying run.
But Nick Loftin struck out looking to end the game.
Royals starter Noah Cameron threw six scoreless innings, scattering three hits, walking two and fanning seven.
Arizona threatened in the ninth when Marte led off with a seeing-eye single. Moreno singled through the right side with the hit-and-run on, allowing Marte to advance to third.
Arenado ripped a line drive that a diving Loftin speared at third base before quickly reaching out to touch third and double off Marte. Royals reliever Steven Cruz then fanned Carroll.
