PHOENIX — — Nick Ahmed took a healthy swing in the eighth inning, but was a little off on his timing. The ball squirted off the end of his bat, rolling slowly up the first base line.
That gave Christian Walker time to sprint home with the decisive run for Arizona as the Diamondbacks beat Kansas City 5-4.
Ahmed — who was pinch-hitting — brought home Walker with his one-out roller off reliever Aroldis Chapman (0-1) that was essentially a swinging bunt. First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino tried to get Walker at home, but the throw was late.
Brad Keller struggled to throw strikes, giving up four runs in four innings on four hits and six walks. He threw 95 pitches.
The three-game series continues Tuesday. The Royals will send RHP Brady Singer (1-2, 8.14 ERA) to the mound at 8:40.