Diamondbacks Edge Royals in High-Scoring Thriller
Thursday, February 26, 2026, 3:10 PM ET · Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
Arizona Diamondbacks 13, Kansas City Royals 10, final. Our MLB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Kansas City Royals vs Arizona Diamondbacks?
Arizona Diamondbacks beat Kansas City Royals 13-10 at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 26, 2026.
In a thrilling contest at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, the Arizona Diamondbacks triumphed over the Kansas City Royals with a final score of 13-10. This victory marked the Diamondbacks' second consecutive win against the Royals, extending their lead in the series to 2-0. The match showcased a remarkable offensive display from both teams, with a total of 23 runs scored.
The Diamondbacks entered the game with a home record of 3-4, while the Royals had a slightly worse away record of 2-4-1. Arizona's recent form had been mixed, with a record of 5-5 over their last ten games, but they were facing a three-game losing streak prior to this match. In contrast, the Royals had been performing better on the road, showing a record of 6-4 in their last ten games and coming off a win in their previous outing.
In terms of scoring, the Diamondbacks averaged 4.8 runs per game while allowing 5.1, indicating a struggle on the mound. Conversely, the Royals had a more favorable scoring average of 6.0 runs per game and allowed only 3.4 runs, highlighting their offensive strength. However, the Royals' recent performance in this game did not reflect their overall scoring ability, as they were unable to maintain their lead against Arizona.
The game featured significant scoring plays, particularly in the later innings. The Royals initially took a commanding lead in the fifth inning when Ó. Mercado doubled, bringing in three runs. However, the Diamondbacks responded fiercely, with a series of runs that included a crucial eighth-inning homer from L. Baker, which ultimately secured their victory.
In terms of injuries, the Diamondbacks were missing several key players, including Tommy Troy, Ryne Nelson, Zac Gallen, Michael Soroka, and Corbin Burnes, all of whom were on the injured list. The Royals were also affected by injuries, with Maikel Garcia, Connor Seabold, Tony Gonsolin, James McArthur, and Beck Way unavailable for this matchup. The absence of these players likely impacted the performance of both teams.
The betting market had priced the Diamondbacks as favorites, reflecting their home advantage and the Royals' struggles on the road. The conditions at Salt River Fields were conducive to a high-scoring game, which was evident in the final scoreline.
Viewers of this match were treated to a display of resilience from the Diamondbacks, who managed to overcome a challenging situation and secure a significant win. The game highlighted the importance of timely hitting and the ability to capitalize on opponents' mistakes, particularly in the late innings.
Injury report
- Tommy Troy10-Day-ILShoulderArizona Diamondbacks
- Ryne Nelson60-Day-ILElbowArizona Diamondbacks
- Zac Gallen60-Day-ILElbowArizona Diamondbacks
- Michael Soroka15-Day-ILShoulderArizona Diamondbacks
- Corbin Burnes60-Day-ILElbowArizona Diamondbacks
- Maikel Garcia10-Day-ILHamstringKansas City Royals
- Connor Seabold60-Day-ILLatKansas City Royals
- Tony Gonsolin15-Day-ILElbowKansas City Royals
- James McArthur60-Day-ILElbowKansas City Royals
- Beck Way15-Day-ILShoulderKansas City Royals
Recent form
Arizona Diamondbacks
Last 10: 5-5Streak L34.8 scored · 5.1 allowed per game4-2 at home
- L1-5at San Diego PadresSep 28
- L4-7at San Diego PadresSep 27
- L4-5vs Los Angeles DodgersSep 25
- W5-4vs Los Angeles DodgersSep 24
- W4-3vs Philadelphia PhilliesSep 21
- L2-8vs Philadelphia PhilliesSep 20
- W6-5vs San Francisco GiantsSep 17
- W8-1vs San Francisco GiantsSep 16
- W6-4at Minnesota TwinsSep 14
- L8-9at Minnesota TwinsSep 13
Kansas City Royals
Last 10: 6-4Streak W16 scored · 3.4 allowed per game3-2 away
- W4-2at AthleticsSep 28
- L3-4at AthleticsSep 27
- W9-4at Los Angeles AngelsSep 26
- L2-3at Los Angeles AngelsSep 25
- W8-4at Los Angeles AngelsSep 24
- L5-8vs Toronto Blue JaysSep 21
- W2-1vs Toronto Blue JaysSep 20
- W20-1vs Toronto Blue JaysSep 19
- L0-2vs Seattle MarinersSep 18
- W7-5vs Seattle MarinersSep 17
Standings
| Team | Games behind | Lost | Streak | Win % | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | - | 66 | L1 | .525 | 73 |
| Cleveland | 3 | 69 | L1 | .504 | 70 |
| Minnesota | 6.5 | 73 | L1 | .479 | 67 |
| Detroit | 9 | 75 | W1 | .460 | 64 |
| Kansas City | 11.5 | 78 | L3 | .443 | 62 |
| Los Angeles | - | 57 | L2 | .590 | 82 |
| Arizona | 9 | 67 | W1 | .525 | 74 |
| San Diego | 9.5 | 67 | L2 | .521 | 73 |
| San Francisco | 24.5 | 82 | W1 | .414 | 58 |
| Colorado | 28.5 | 86 | W2 | .386 | 54 |
How the scoring went
- 4th Inning1-0Caglianone singled to right, Newman scored.
- 4th Inning2-0Jensen singled to right, Caglianone scored.
- 5th Inning3-0Thomas homered to left center (413 feet).
- 5th Inning5-0Caglianone doubled to right, Toro scored on error and Tolbert scored, Caglianone safe at third on throwing error by shortstop Perdomo.
- 5th Inning6-0Massey doubled to right, Caglianone scored.
- 5th Inning8-0Jensen homered to right center (416 feet), Massey scored.
- 5th Inning8-1Barrosa reached on infield single to second, Jo. Fernandez scored, Thomas to second, Santana to third.
- 5th Inning8-4Ó. Mercado doubled to left, Barrosa scored, Santana scored and Thomas scored.
- 7th Inning8-5Troy doubled to right, Groover scored.
- 7th Inning8-6Amaya reached on infield single to third, Troy scored on throwing error by third baseman Toro.
- 7th Inning8-9Jo. Fernandez homered to center (411 feet), Amaya scored and L. Baker scored.
- 8th Inning9-9Roccaforte doubled to center, Mitchell scored.
- 8th Inning10-9Hernandez grounded into fielder's choice to second, Roccaforte scored.
- 8th Inning10-10Robinson singled to right, Jones scored.
- 8th Inning10-13L. Baker homered to left center (408 feet), Robinson scored and Troy scored.
Win probability
Above the line favours Arizona Diamondbacks, below favours Kansas City Royals.
Venue
- Salt River Fields at Talking StickScottsdale, Arizona
- Attendance6471
- OfficialsAustin Snow, Chris Guccione, Willie Traynor, Charlie Welling
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