SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Pitching sometimes is just a matter of survival. It literally was for Royals right-hander Kris Medlen on Saturday in the Royals' 3-0 loss to the Diamondbacks.
Medlen, projected to be the Royals' fifth starter, already had given up a two-run homer to David Peralta in the first inning.
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Then in the third inning, Peralta laced a liner right back at Medlen's head. Medlen ducked out of the way, the ball missed him by an inch or two, and Peralta had a single to center.
"He's a good hitter," Medlen said. "He almost ended my life [in that at-bat]. The closest anyone has gotten to killing me on the baseball field. A little scary."

Medlen stayed off the mound for several moments trying to collect himself again as concerned teammates also came to his aid.
"I think I had already calmed myself down at that point," Medlen said. "[Mike Moustakas] asked if I was all right. Very close, very scary. I'm just happy my kids didn't see me get hit by a baseball."
Medlen gave up three runs and six hits through three innings. All three runs came in the first, two on a fly ball by Peralta that, wind aided, just landed over the fence in right-center.
"A homer is a homer," Medlen said. "I have a big league homer. It still counts.
"I threw a curveball on 1-0 and he put a good swing on it. I totally anticipated him putting on the statue take. But he dropped the barrel on it. A good swing."
Medlen threw 50 pitches, 31 for strikes. The results weren't great, but Medlen was pleased for the most part.
"I threw a ton of fastballs," Medlen said. "I don't have the dominant fastball a lot of guys have. I challenged guys. I felt a little quick today in terms of my delivery.
"By the time I realized I was being quick, I was down 3-0. After that, I felt pretty good. I think I made the adjustments the next couple of innings. Just working on stuff and trying to stay on the corners."