Torey Lovullo ejected in Diamondbacks loss to Royals to start series

Bobby Witt Jr. and the Kansas City Royals defeated the Diamondbacks 10-4 in Kansas City on Monday night. The atmosphere was grim, to say the least.

The Royals blew the game open in the fourth inning when they scored four runs. Arizona starter Yilber Diaz was strong in his two big-league starts. In his major league debut on July 8 against the Atlanta Braves, he pitched six innings, allowing four hits and one run. He repeated the same stat line against the Toronto Blue Jays on July 13.

But Monday night was nothing like the previous two for Diaz. He was taken off the mound in the fourth inning, surrendering nine hits, seven runs, and one walk with no strikeouts. Diaz finished the night with a 5.40 ERA. Manager Torey Lovullo brought Miguel Castro out of the bullpen, but Castro surrendered a Witt Jr. three-run homer to make it 8-3.

Castro allowed two hits and two runs in two innings.

The Diamondbacks moved one game above .500 (51-50).

Witt Jr. tripled in the first inning, doubled in the third, and homered in the fourth, driving in three runs. When he came to bat in the sixth inning, Humberto Castellanos of the Diamondbacks hit him with a pitch.

In the seventh inning, Cole Ragans of the Royals hit catcher Gabriel Moreno. The umpires gave a warning, but it seemed that wasn’t enough for Lovullo. He kept protesting and was ejected.

Second baseman Ketel Marte hit his 20th home run of the season, driving in two of the Diamondbacks’ four runs. Center fielder Alek Thomas doubled in the third inning, scoring Kevin Newman.

In the eighth inning, Eugenio Suarez hit a sacrifice fly to allow Christian Walker to reach base. Walker had two hits, but it was not nearly enough for the Diamondbacks to secure the win.

The Royals hit three home runs and recorded 15 hits, while the Diamondbacks had eight.

Arizona hopes to even the series on Tuesday at Kauffman Stadium.

Tuesday Diamondbacks-Royals pitching matchup

Diamondbacks at Royals, 5:10 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34

Diamondbacks LHP Jordan Montgomery (6-5, 6.44) vs. Royals RHP Alec Marsh (7-6, 4.52).

At the Kauffman Stadium: Montgomery’s last outing came on June 27, when he was pulled from the mound in the third inning… The Diamondbacks lost 13-6 to the Twins, with Montgomery allowing 10 hits and eight runs… Before that game, he had three consecutive 5+ inning starts… He was placed on the IL on June 29 with a knee infection… This will be his first visit to the mound since then… Montgomery has a 6.44 ERA on the season, allowing 87 hits, striking out 45 and walking 23 in 65 1/3 innings pitched… Marsh’s last outing came in a 7-1 win over the White Sox on July 19… He pitched the ninth inning, allowing two hits, striking out one and walking no runs… In his second year in the majors, Marsh has allowed 84 hits, struck out 84 batters and walked 29 in 91 1/3 innings pitched… The game of Tuesday marks Marsh’s first meeting with the Diamondbacks this season.

Shortly

Wednesday: At Kansas City, 5:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (7-6, 4.78) vs. Royals RHP Michael Wacha (7-6, 3.55).

Thursday: Out.

Friday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (7-5, 3.64) vs. Pirates LHP Martin Perez (1-5, 5.61).

Saturday: At Chase Field, 5:10 p.m., Diamondbacks Brandon Pfaadt (4-6, 3.74) vs. Pirates TBD.

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