Gabriel Moreno’s go-ahead double in the ninth inning gave the Diamondbacks an unlikely series win over the Kansas City Royals. It served as the perfect revenge for Arizona after their catcher was potentially targeted in a beanball war in the series opener.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In the sixth inning of the Diamondbacks’ 10-4 loss to the Royals on Monday, Bobby Witt Jr. was hit by a Humberto Castellanos pitch. The following half-inning, Gabriel Moreno took a fastball to the back. That triggered manager Torey Lovullo, who felt the Royals were taking shots at his catcher, leading to his ejection. After the game, Lovullo told Dbacks TV reporter Jody Jackson that he was unsatisfied with the way the umpires handled the situation.
“At the end of the day, I’ve got to protect my team. I didn’t like Gabi getting plunked, and it seemed like there was intent there.”
Moreno started the next game, collecting a key two-run single in the first inning that allowed the Diamondbacks to take a 3-0 and cruise comfortably to a 6-2 win. In the series finale, he came off the bench in the seventh to hit for backup catcher José Herrera. While he didn’t do anything his first time up, he came up against Royals closer James McArthur with the tying and go-ahead runs on base. He got a 1-1 slider and split the right center gap to give the Diamondbacks the lead in a game they came back to win 8-6.
That moment could be seen coming. Moreno is 13-for-29 (.448) when batting in the ninth inning this season, and a .304 hitter with runners in scoring position.
“When his approach is where it’s at right now, it’s almost slump-free,” Lovullo told Jackson following their series finale victory on Dbacks TV. “He’s going to be able to see the baseball and barrel up the baseball. I’m not going to say he’s going to get a hit, but he’s going to be able to put a good swing on any type of pitch and determine if it’s going to be a ball or strike. He’s just a really good hitter. It was the right guy in the right spot.”
Moreno’s double served as three straight hits with a runner in scoring position, after the team entered the inning going 0-for-6 in those situations. Ketel Marte tacked on a three-run home run later in the inning and the Diamondbacks survived a late rally to get a huge series win. Instead of a disappointing 3-3 road trip, they return to Chase Field feeling confident after winning in two tough road ballparks.
When looking back at where the direction of the season ultimately went, especially if they make the postseason, that could be the one at-bat that got the Diamondbacks going.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo describes sequence of events that led to ejection
Diamondbacks ride big ninth inning to defeat the Royals in 8-6
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, exclusive content, and access to our seasonal magazines! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Michael McDermott covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @MichaelMcDMLB
