Nelson flirts with perfection, D-backs snap skid in win over Royals

PHOENIX (KYMA, KECY) - The Arizona Diamondbacks put an end to their three-game losing streak in dominant fashion Saturday, riding a stellar start from Ryne Nelson to a 7-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals at Chase Field.

Nelson retired the first 16 batters he faced, carrying a perfect game into the sixth inning before allowing a single to Freddy Fermin.

The right-hander went seven innings, allowing just four hits and one run, while striking out five and walking none. He's now 3-0 with a 2.01 ERA over his last five starts.

The D-backs gave Nelson early run support with RBI singles from Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez in the third. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. added a two-run double in the fifth and later tripled and scored in the seventh. Randal Grichuk capped the night with a rare inside-the-park home run in the eighth.

Saturday also marked the return of Outfielder Corbin Carroll, who was activated from the injured list after missing over two weeks with a fractured wrist. He went 0-for-5 in his first game back.

With the win, Arizona will look to clinch the series in Sunday's finale behind right-hander Anthony DeSclafani.