KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals snapped a three-game home losing skid with authority on Saturday night, defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-3 at Kauffman Stadium.
Designated hitter Billy Butler slugged his eighth home run of the year, a two-run blast in the third inning that gave the Royals a 3-0 lead. Third baseman Mike Moustakas also went yard for his sixth HR of the season, a solo shot in the fourth that pushed the lead to 4-0.
First baseman Eric Hosmer added an RBI single to make it 5-0 Royals in the fifth, and Diamondbacks ace Ian Kennedy was pulled shortly thereafter with his team down 6-0. Kennedy (3-4, 4.47 ERA) gave up six runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Bruce Chen (3-4, 4.17 ERA) received a standing ovation for another outstanding start. Chen gave up two runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings, fanning four and walking two.
The D-Backs (18-23, 11-11 away) made things interesting with a few RBI’s late, but the damage was already done. The Royals (16-23, 5-16 home) now have a chance to salvage what’s left of a potentially disastrous five-game home stand, before they embark on a nine-game road trip starting Monday with the New York Yankees.
D-Backs left-handed starter Wade Miley (4-1, 2.52 ERA) takes the mound against Royals starter Nate Adcock (0-1, 2.51 ERA) for a game three rubber-match on Sunday afternoon at the K.
