Arizona Diamondbacks steal series from Kansas City Royals behind 5-run ninth inning

Arizona Diamondbacks Gabriel Moreno and Ketel Marte keyed a five-run ninth-inning rally against Kansas City Royals closer James McArthur to snare an 8-6 victory and steal the series against the Royals Wednesday night.

Marte hit a home run in all three games in Kansas City, bringing his season total to 22.

The ninth-inning rally began with a one-out infield single by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. A walk to Geraldo Perdomo set the stage for Moreno, whose two-run double pushed Arizona in front 5-4. Corbin Carroll singled, moving Moreno to third, and Marte's blast put the game on ice.

Eugenio Suarez started the scoring with a two-out solo homer in the top of the second. The Royals answered in the bottom of the inning when center fielder Drew Waters doubled to drive in catcher Freddy Fermin.

Arizona's Joc Pederson answered in the fourth, sending his 200th career home run into Kauffman Stadium's water spectacular, forcing stadium officials to collect the prized ball from the water. First baseman Christian Walker followed with a home run to continue his hot hitting, smashing a 405-foot shot to center to give the Diamondbacks a 3-1 advantage.

Right-hander Ryne Nelson ran into trouble in the fourth. Michael Massey doubled, Nelson's wild pitch allowed Massey to reach third base before Maikel Garcia scored Massey with a fielder's choice ground ball.

Kyle Isbel then tripled to left field to drive in Garcia. Nelson's second wild pitch of the inning allowed Isbel to score the go-ahead run.

Carroll, who struggled at the plate during the series, used his speed to try to get the Diamondbacks back in it in the top of the eighth. After getting hit by a pitch from Hunter Harvey, Carroll stole second. Marte got him to third on a ground out. Pederson received an intentional walk, but Harvey retired Walker and Jake McCarthy to close the inning.

The Royals made things interesting against Arizona closer Paul Sewald in the ninth when a Vinnie Pasquantino two-out single drove in Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr., who once again recorded three hits Wednesday night.

Sewald, however, induced Salvador Perez to fly out harmlessly to left field to end it.

Nelson went six innings, surrendering nine hits and four runs with two walks and two strikeouts. Royals starter Michael Wacha lasted only 4 2/3 innings, allowing six hits — three of those were home runs — while striking out one.

McArthur's final line: four hits and five runs with two strikeouts in the ninth.

Wednesday night's comeback win means the Diamondbacks are unbeaten in their past seven series (6-0-1).

Arizona returns home to face the Pittsburgh Pirates in a three-game weekend set.

Coming up

Friday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (7-5, 3.64) vs. Pirates RHP Luis Ortiz (5-2, 2.57).

Saturday: At Chase Field, 5:10 p.m., Diamondbacks Brandon Pfaadt (4-6, 3.74) vs. Pirates LHP Marco Gonzales (1-1, 2.70).

Sunday: At Chase Field, 1:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Yilber Diaz (1-1, 5.40) vs. Pirates RHP Mitch Keller (10-5, 3.34)

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Diamondbacks steal series from Kansas City Royals behind 5-run ninth inning