Merrill Kelly and Brandon Pfaadt pitched this afternoon
Record: 9-10-1. Change on 2024: +2. Five inning result: 10-9-1.
A three-run fifth inning proved just enough for the Diamondbacks, as they edged the Royals by the odd run in five. It began with a Jordan Lawlar double, and he then scored on a bunt single by Geraldo Perdomo was thrown away by the Kansas City pitcher. After a Marte walk, both men advanced on a flyout, and came home on a two-run single by Josh Naylor. He had another single, and Eugenio Suarez continued his strong spring with a single, a double and a walk, raising his slash for the preseason to .393/.486/.750. Lawlar added two walks, but Adrian Del Castillo went 0-for-3 with a trio of strikeouts, giving him 12 K’s in 24 at-bats so far this spring. Lawlar, Naylor and Ildemaro Vargas each stole a base.
Merrill Kelly got the start for Arizona, and worked 3.1 scoreless innings, scattering five hits, with no walks and one strikeout. He left with men on the corners and one out in the fourth, but Justin Martinez dialed up a double-play with his second pitch. Brandon Pfaadt then took over, and worked the next three innings, allowing a run on three hits and a walk with a pair of strikeouts. Shelby Miller gave up a lead-off triple in the eighth which scored on a groundout, before Joe Mantiply got the next two outs. Kevin Ginkel put the tying run on base with one out in the ninth, though it was caught stealing and Ginkel finished off the game for his first save of spring.
Tomorrow, the team will hit the road again, facing the A’s at Hohokam, with a 1:05 pm first pitch. Ryne Nelson is the scheduled starter for the D-backs.