In a preseason encounter at Surprise Stadium, the Arizona Diamondbacks faced off against the Kansas City Royals, concluding with a record of 13-11 for the Diamondbacks and 16-9 for the Royals. The game ended with a final score of 12-1 in favor of the Royals.

Oct 28, 2023; Arlington, TX, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) hits a single in the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers in game two of the 2023 World Series at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

Diamondbacks' Struggles at the Plate

The Diamondbacks struggled to find their rhythm offensively throughout the game, managing to secure only seven hits and one run. Despite having opportunities, they left nine runners on base and were unable to capitalize during crucial moments. The team's batting average stood at .219, with an on-base percentage (OBP) of .242 and slugging percentage (SLG) of .313. Notably, Kevin Graham had an impressive performance despite the overall offensive struggles, hitting .500 with an OBP of .667.

Pitching Challenges Persist

On the mound, Arizona's pitchers faced significant challenges against a strong Royals lineup. The starting pitcher Ryne Nelson had a particularly tough outing with an earned run average (ERA) of 24.00 over three innings pitched, allowing eleven hits which contributed significantly to Kansas City's early lead. The bullpen provided some relief but still conceded three runs over five innings pitched as Kyle Backhus posted an ERA of 10.8.

Royals' Offensive Showcase

The Kansas City Royals showcased their offensive strength by accumulating sixteen hits leading to twelve runs without committing any errors throughout the game. Their aggressive approach paid dividends as they capitalized on every opportunity presented by Diamondbacks' pitchers.

Looking ahead, fans can catch the next game for Arizona as they host Los Angeles Angels at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale on March 17th at 4:10 PM EDT. This matchup will be available for viewing on MLB Network.

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