D-backs’ Zack Greinke throws 75 pitches in losing effort to Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ian Kennedy picked up his first home victory in more than a year as the Kansas City Royals defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-1 on Friday night.

Kennedy (5-13) snapped a franchise record of 18 winless home starts, holding the postseason bound Diamondbacks to one run and four hits over five innings, while striking out seven. It was his first Kauffman Stadium victory since Aug. 20, 2016. He was 0-9 with a 6.13 ERA in the skid.

Jake Lamb hit his 30th home run in the second inning for the only run Kennedy would allow.

Zack Greinke (17-7) was charged with the loss in his final tuneup before starting the wild-card game Wednesday in Phoenix against either Colorado or Milwaukee.

Greinke, who the Royals drafted sixth overall in 2002, was on a limited pitch count and removed after four-plus innings and 75 pitches.

Greinke allowed two runs and six hits. He yielded a home run to Whit Merrifield to lead off the third. Melky Cabrera doubled and scored on Eric Hosmer’s two-out single in the first for the other Kansas City run.

Diamondbacks left-hander Patrick Corbin made his first relief appearance of the season after 32 starts, throwing 2 2/3 scoreless innings. The Diamondbacks have yet to decide whether Corbin will be in the postseason rotation or used out of the bullpen after going 14-13 with a 4.09 ERA as a starter.

Arizona right fielder J.D. Martinez, who has 16 home runs in September to tie a National League record, doubled, struck out twice and grounded into a double play.

Relievers Peter Moylan, Scott Alexander, Kelvin Herrera, Joakim Soria and Mike Minor held the Diamondbacks scoreless over the final four innings. Minor picked up his fifth save in seven opportunities.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Diamondbacks: Manager Torey Lovullo said C Jeff Mathis (fractured right hand) is “getting very close.” He could appear in a game this weekend in Kansas City. “If he doesn’t play in a game before Wednesday, there’s no way I can put him behind home plate in that type of environment, that type of game,” Lovullo said of Mathis catching in the wild-card game. . Diamondbacks SS Chris Owings (fractured right middle finger) is doing baseball activity in the instructional league in Arizona, but has yet to appear in a game.

Royals: C Salvador Perez (groin strain) did not play Friday and likely will be held out Saturday.

UP NEXT

Diamondbacks: RHP Taijuan Walker is 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA in two interleague starts this season.

Royals: RHP Jake Junis is coming off a loss to the Yankees, allowing six runs, seven hits and three walks over 5 2/3 innings.