Offense Sputters As Royals Fall 3-2 To Diamondbacks

If it isn't one thing, it's another lately for the Kansas City Royals as they lost again Wednesday evening, this time by a 3-2 count to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second of a three game series.

Much like Luke Hochevar has done recently, Royals starter Jeff Francis started off strong before running into a road bump inning in the fifth as Arizona scored three runs, erasing an early 1-0 Royals lead.

Francis would finish the evening with seven innings pitched, allowing just three runs on five hits. He struck out two, walking walking none.

Arizona received a strong start from Ian Kennedy. He allowed just one run on eight hits during the course of a 110 pitch effort that lasted six innings.

Kansas City got on the board first in the third as Eric Hosmer grounded into a double play that drove in Chris Getz from the third. The duo also combined for the other Royals run in the seventh, as Hosmer tripled to right center, again scoring Getz. Getz was 3-for-4 at the plate with a stolen base, and two runs scored. Melky Cabrera, batting leadoff on Wednesday evening, also had two hits as did Mike Moustakas.

Of the 11 hits collected by the Royals, just two went for extra bases.

Arizona scored all the runs they would need in the fifth as Xavier Nady had an RBI double, former Royal Willie Bloomquist had an RBI single, and Ryan Roberts followed up with a sacrifice.

After Aaron Crow kept the Royals in the game with two hit-less innings of relief, Kansas City had a chance in the ninth against J.J. Putz.. With two outs as Getz hustled to beat the throw for an infield single. He then stole second and third, giving his 12 swipes on the season. Cabrera then walked, bringing up Hosmer. However, Hosmer immediately popped out to shortstop to end the game.

Kansas City falls to 31-43, while Arizona is 41-34. Kennedy moves to 8-2, Francis falls to 3-8. Putz picked up his 19th save. The full boxscore can be viewed here.

The Royals try to avoid being swept tomorrow evening at 7:10 CST as Felipe Paulino (0-0  2.33 ERA) goes against Daniel Hudson (8-5 3.56).