PHOENIX — Mike Moustakas accounted for all of Kansas City’s runs with a long ball, a liner and a bit of hustle after a diving stop by Arizona second baseman Aaron Hill.
His hustle play was the one that made all the difference.
Moustakas homered and drove in his fourth run by beating a relay throw to first in the ninth inning, helping the Royals beat the Diamondbacks 4-3 Wednesday night to win their fifth straight series.
Kansas City rolled over Arizona in the opener and had just enough offense for Yordana Ventura (9-8) to take the second game.
Moustakas, who was 1 for 13 to start the six-game road trip, hit a two-run homer off Josh Collmenter (8-6) in the third inning and added a run-scoring single off the right-hander in the fourth. He was initially called out on the groundball in the ninth inning, but a review showed his headfirst dive beat the throw, allowing Billy Butler to score for a 4-2 lead.
The Royals needed the extra run, too.
Closer Greg Holland gave up a pair of singles and a sacrifice fly to Mark Trumbo in the bottom half before closing out his 32nd save.
The Diamondbacks just couldn’t come up with the big hits when they needed them, stranding 11 runners while going 2 for 14 with runners in scoring position.
