Ketel Marte earns an All-Star start, but the D-backs fall 9-3 to the Royals on July 5. Ryne Nelson struggles as Vinnie Pasquantino's 2 HRs power KC.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day of stark contrasts at Chase Field. While the D-backs faithful celebrated Ketel Marte being named a starting second baseman for the National League All-Star team, the on-field product provided little to cheer about. Arizona dropped the second game of the series to the Kansas City Royals, 9-3, in a contest that felt out of reach almost from the first pitch.
He’s a catalyst for us. When he gets going, the whole team gets going. It’s amazing to watch.
The game was essentially decided in the opening frames. Starter Ryne Nelson had one of his roughest outings of the season, lasting just two innings while getting tagged for six earned runs on seven hits. The big blow came early, a first-inning, three-run homer by Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, who wasn't done tormenting Arizona. Pasquantino added a second home run later, finishing with five RBIs. While the D-backs got solo shots from Eugenio Suárez and Mark Canha, the offense couldn't mount a serious comeback against Royals starter Michael Wacha. The loss extends Arizona's losing streak to two and drops their record to a frustrating 43-45.
The brightest spot of the day, by far, was the confirmation that Ketel Marte will be starting at second base in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game. It's his third career selection as a starter, a testament to his incredible consistency and impact. Teammates were quick to praise him, with pitcher Merrill Kelly calling him 'a catalyst' for the entire offense. Pavin Smith echoed the sentiment, calling his performance 'amazing.' Marte has been a force all season, combining power at the plate with stellar defense, and his selection is a well-deserved honor.
The Diamondbacks front office stood pat on Saturday, with no new transactions, injuries, or roster moves to announce. The team's roster remains the same following the minor league signing of Seth Brown on Friday. All eyes remain on Corbin Carroll's rehab assignment with the ACL D-backs, as his return could provide a significant boost to the lineup, but there was no new update on his progress today.
With the series now lost, the Diamondbacks will look to salvage the finale against the Royals tomorrow and avoid a sweep. The team needs to flush this tough loss, build on the positive energy from Marte's All-Star selection, and find a way to get back to .500. A strong start on the mound will be critical to stop the bleeding and get the club back on track heading into the All-Star break.
