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Diamondbacks vs Royals game
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Diamondbacks beat Royals 5-4 in 10 innings on Sep 7, 2026. The win gives Arizona a one-game lead for the third NL wild card spot.
Background
The Arizona Diamondbacks and Kansas City Royals opened a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium on September 7, 2026. Arizona entered the game with a 76-68 record, second in the NL West and in contention for a wild card spot, while Kansas City was 64-80, fifth in the AL Central. The game was the first meeting between the teams this season.
How it unfolded
- Sep 7, 2026Diamondbacks defeat Royals 5-4 in 10 innings. Arizona scored four two-out runs in the top of the 10th, including RBI singles by Geraldo Perdomo, Gabriel Moreno, and Nolan Arenado. Salvador Perez hit a bases-clearing double in the bottom half, but the tying run was stranded at third.
- Sep 7, 2026Justin Martinez earned the win, Dennis Santana recorded his third save, and Craig Kimbrel took the loss.
- Sep 8, 2026The teams are scheduled to play the second game of the series, with Michael Wacha (9-8, 3.36 ERA) expected to start for Kansas City.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo praised Dennis Santana, saying, 'Santana, who hasn’t thrown in eight days, comes in and gets the save. That tells me a story. It tells me what he has been doing when nobody is watching, because he was prepared for that moment.'
- Analysts
- The Diamondbacks' win gives them a one-game lead over San Diego for the third NL wild card spot, pending the Padres' game later Monday.