KANSAS CITY -- Another night, another infusion of veteran right-handed pitching for the Diamondbacks.
On Tuesday, it was Corbin Burnes returning from a 15-month absence due to Tommy John surgery. On Wednesday, it was Zac Gallen returning from elbow inflammation and Michael Soroka coming back from arm inflammation.
The Diamondbacks hope to sharpen all three guys for a late push to the playoffs, but those pitchers don’t have much time to shake off the rust.
In Arizona’s 5-2 loss to the Royals in the series finale, Gallen worked the opening 3 1/3 innings. He wasn’t able to get through the fourth because a 10-pitch at-bat against Nick Loftin with one out lifted his pitch count to 68. Gallen gave up four hits and two runs (one earned), including a solo homer to Carter Jensen.
Soroka took over for the fifth in his first relief appearance of the season. Soroka struck out Kyle Isbel to begin his outing, but then surrendered a single to Isaac Collins and a walk to Jensen before Bobby Witt Jr. snapped a 2-2 tie with a three-run homer that proved to be the game-winner.
With the Padres defeating the Nationals earlier in the day, the Diamondbacks (78-69) fell one-half game back of San Diego for the third spot in the National League Wild Card race.