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 Guthrie gave up hits to seven of the first 15 batters he faced
before retiring the final 19 in a 6-2 victory over the Arizona
Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
"We made a couple of great plays and they hit it at us a little bit
better," Guthrie said.
"The first couple of innings the pitches were executed for the most
part, but they hit a couple over the third baseman's head and a
couple of line drives where we weren't standing. Not a ton changed.
The execution continued to be there for the most part."
Guthrie (8-9) struck out four and did not walk a batter for his
third straight victory. He has two three-game winning streaks and
three three-game losing streaks this season.
"I think it's the pitcher's goal every time to go as deep as you
can," Guthrie said. "I haven't done that very well, especially the
last couple of months. Nice to be able to settle in and get through
some quick innings."
Left fielder Alex Gordon hit a two-run home run in the second inning
and catcher Salvador Perez hit a two-run single in the third to
stake Guthrie (8-9) to a 4-1 lead.
The Royals (60-53) won for the seventh time in eight games and the
12th time in 15 to move into the lead for the second American League
wild card. Kansas City sits 2 1/2 games behind the AL
Central-leading Detroit Tigers.
First baseman Mark Trumbo singled, scored a run and hit a sacrifice
for Arizona (49-66), which has lost five of its last six.
Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar threw out a runner from short
center field to open the seventh inning, and third baseman Mike
Moustakas reached into the seats to catch a foul pop leading off the
eighth.
"When you start the inning off with a tough play, it really, really
boosts the pitchers' confidence and the morale for that inning,"
said Guthrie, who had his eighth career complete game, four in two
seasons with the Royals.
Guthrie used 54 pitches in the first three innings and 55 in the
final six. He did not give up a baserunner after Arizona rookie
third baseman Jake Lamb singled in a run with two outs in the third
inning.
"Boom, after the third inning, it locked in," Kansas City manager
Ned Yost said. "Sometimes it just takes guys a little while to get
settled in, to get their timing, to get their rhythm and get into
the flow of the game."
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"He jammed a lot of guys," Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said of Guthrie.
"He jammed a lot of righties, sinkers in. He just had it working."
Escobar and right fielder Nori Aoki each had two hits and an RBI for the
Royals, and Moustakas had two hits.
Trumbo's sacrifice fly to give Arizona a 1-0 in the first inning before
Gordon followed Billy Butler's second-inning double with his 10th homer.
Arizona left-hander Vidal Nuno (0-3) gave up seven hits and five runs in
four innings. He has given up 19 homers in 111 1/3 innings with the
Yankees and Diamondbacks this season.
"I kept on leaving that ball up," Nuno said. "They found a way to get
the ball in play and sure enough, they scored five runs. It was a little
frustrating. I couldn't get those key outs."
Every Royals starter had a hit.
NOTES: Arizona purchased the contract of 3B Jake Lamb from Triple-A Reno
and inserted him in the starting lineup. Lamb, 23, was hitting a
combined .327 with 39 doubles, 15 home runs and 84 RBIs in 108 games
this season, all but five at Double-A Mobile. "He is going to be our
third baseman," Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said. ... Arizona 3B
Andy Marte was designated for assignment to clear a spot on the 25-man
roster. ... Kansas City will open a six-game "Bay Area" homestand Friday
with the first game of a three-game series against the San Francisco
Giants. The Royals finish with a three-game series against The Oakland
A's. ... The sweep in Arizona was Kansas City's fifth consecutive series
win.
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