Greinke takes loss in postseason tuneup

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Ian Kennedy picked up his first home victory in more than a year as the Kansas City Royals defeated the 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 fourplus 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.