PHOENIX (AP) — Merrill Kelly bounced back from three straight shaky starts to pitch seven effective innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the New York Mets 2-1 for a much-needed win on Saturday night.
Kelly (2-3) allowed a run on three hits and Paul Sewald worked a perfect ninth for his eighth save in as many chances. It was Arizona's third win in 11 games.
Mets starter Clay Holmes (4-3) allowed a two-run single to Ildemaro Vargas in the third inning, but was otherwise sharp, allowing two runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings.
He got little help from the Mets' offense. New York had three hits a night after pulling out a 3-1 win in 10 innings over the Diamondbacks.
Kelly was much better after allowing 19 earned runs over 13 2/3 innings his previous three starts.
The right-hander allowed Brett Baty's run-scoring single in the second inning and stranded two in the fifth after Tyrone Taylor's two-out double. Kelly struck out six and walked three.
Arizona's starters have pitched at least six innings in five straight starts for the first time since doing it in six straight last September.
Holmes held the Angels to an earned run in 6 2/3 innings his last start and was sharp again.
The right-hander worked around Adrian Del Castillo's leadoff double in the second inning before running into trouble when Arizona loaded the bases in the third. Vargas lined a two-run single, but Holmes retired the next nine batters until being lifted following Nolan Arenado's two-out single in the sixth.
Holmes had six strikeouts and two walks. He's allowed two or fewer earned runs in all eight starts this season.
RHP Eduardo Rodriguez (3-0, 2.50) will pitch the series finale for the Diamondbacks on Sunday. The Mets have yet to name a starter.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
New York Mets first baseman Mark Vientos (27) beats Arizona Diamondbacks' Ildemaro Vargas (6) to first base for the out during the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New York Mets starting pitcher Clay Holmes throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly throws against the New York Mets during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Michael Wacha pitched seven scoreless innings, Bobby Witt Jr. hit an inside-the-park home run on a grounder and the Kansas City Royals beat the Detroit Tigers 5-1 on Saturday night.
Michael Massey had a three-run homer for the Royals, who will go for the series sweep on Sunday night.
Witt hit the ball down the right-field line in the first inning that bounced off the wall and eluded right fielder Kerry Carpenter. Witt motored around the bases and beat the relay throw to the plate for a two-run homer.
It was the Royals’ first inside-the-park home run since Witt did it in August 2023.
Carpenter left the game later with left shoulder soreness.
Wacha (4-2) gave up two hits, walked two and struck out six. It was his longest scoreless outing since throwing eight scoreless innings against the Chicago White Sox on April 11.
Burch Smith (0-2) took the loss. He retired only one of the four batters he faced, allowing two runs on three hits in one-third of an inning.
Massey's homer in the fourth inning came with runners on first and third with two outs. He lined the ball over the right-center field fence for his third homer of the season.
Wacha had at least one strikeout in each of his first four innings. The Tigers loaded the bases in the fifth on a double, a walk and a hit batter, but Wacha got Matt Vierling to ground out to end the inning.
The Tigers scored in the eighth on a two-out double by Riley Greene.
The teams conclude the three-game series Sunday. The Tigers have not announced a starter, though manager AJ Hinch said it will be a bullpen game. Kansas City will send LHP Noah Cameron (2-2, 5.40 ERA) to the mound.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
Kansas City Royals' Michael Massey watches his three-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Burch Smith hands the ball to manager A.J. Hinch (14) during a pitching change in the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. dives home to score after hitting a inside-the-park home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
