Vinnie Pasquantino's 2 HRs powered the Royals past the D-backs 9-3 on July 5, 2025. Eduardo Rodriguez struggled as Arizona dropped its third straight game.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another night at Chase Field, another frustrating result. The Arizona Diamondbacks stumbled for the third consecutive game, falling 9-3 to the Kansas City Royals in a contest that felt out of reach early. A rough outing from starter Eduardo Rodriguez and a powerful display by the Royals' offense left the 35,562 fans in attendance searching for answers as the team's mid-season slump deepens.
Arizona's bullpen has struggled this season, ranking 28th in MLB with a 5.18 ERA.
The game unraveled quickly for the D-backs. Starter Eduardo Rodriguez simply didn't have it, getting tagged for nine runs (eight earned) on 12 hits in just 4.1 innings. The Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino was the primary tormentor, launching two home runs and driving in a career-high six runs. While Arizona's offense managed eight hits, it wasn't nearly enough to climb out of the deep hole. Eugenio Suarez provided a spark with his 28th home run of the season, and Josh Naylor chipped in with an RBI single, but the damage was already done.
It's impossible to discuss the team's current struggles without acknowledging the M*A*S*H unit in the clubhouse. The injury list is long and impactful, with key contributors like Corbin Carroll (wrist), Gabriel Moreno (hand), and a significant portion of the pitching staff sidelined. However, Friday brought some positive signs. Reliever Kendall Graveman, whose presence is desperately needed, threw a live batting practice session. Even more encouraging, Corbin Carroll faced that live pitching, a major step forward in his own recovery. With the bullpen's ERA sitting at a painful 5.18, Graveman's return can't come soon enough.
In response to the mounting injuries, the team announced roster moves on Saturday, reinstating some unnamed players from the 10-day IL to get the 40-man roster back to full capacity. While the specifics are still unclear, any fresh arms or healthy bodies are a welcome sight. The focus now shifts to snapping this losing skid. The D-backs need a stopper, and they'll hand the ball to Ryne Nelson (4-2, 3.61 ERA) on Saturday to try and be that guy.
The D-backs are in a tough spot, battling both opponents on the field and a war of attrition on the injured list. The loss to the Royals was a stark reminder of how thin the pitching depth is. While the progress of Carroll and Graveman offers a light at the end of the tunnel, the immediate task is to find a way to win with the players they have. All eyes will be on Ryne Nelson to right the ship and prevent the streak from reaching four.
