Royals win home run battle, beat Diamondbacks 6-5

Freddy Fermin accumulated three RBIs and went 2-for-3 at the plate as the Kansas City Royals defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-5 Saturday afternoon.

Nelson Velázquez was 3-for-3 and Vinnie Pasquantino batted 3-for-4 for the Royals (11-4) who have won three straight Spring Training games.

In the first of two D’Backs split-squad games on Saturday, Albert Almora Jr. was 2-for-3 and scored two runs for Arizona (7-8). Tommy Henry had a rough outing, giving up five runs on 10 hits in 3.2 innings.

Going back-to-back, Pasquantino and Salvador Perez both homered in the bottom of the first inning to kickstart the scoring for the Royals, 2-0.

Arizona answered right back and took their first lead 3-2 at the top of the second courtesy of a two-run single by Alek Thomas and one RBI from Tucker Barnhart. Kansas City starting pitcher Michael Wacha allowed three runs on three hits and struck out three in 2.2 innings.

Fermin reclaimed an advantage for the Royals with a single, getting Pasquantino and Velázquez home to make 4-3 in the bottom of the third.

Not going away, the Diamondbacks tied the game once more 4-4 as Kevin Newman launched a solo home run to left-center in the fourth.

Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. replicated Newman with a solo homer during the bottom of the same inning, going up 5-4.

Already doing damage earlier, Fermin continued after slapping an RBI double.

Down 6-4, Almora Jr. joined the home run party, powering a solo shot to left-center. There were five homers in total.

But to close the 6-5 victory, Jonah Dipoto was able to record a no-hit ninth inning for the save.

Next Games

Diamondbacks: Away vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (11-3) on March 10 at 1:05 p.m. MST

Royals: Away vs. Oakland Athletics (6-8) on March 10 at 1:05 p.m. MST

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