The Kansas City Royals found themselves in a hole early and were unable to climb out, falling to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night 6-2 at Kauffman Stadium.

Starter Alec Marsh got off to a rough start, giving up a sacrifice fly for the first out of the game and allowing a two-run single later in the inning. The Royals were only able to respond with one run in the first, while last year’s National League pennant winners picked up two more runs off a Ketel Marte home run in the fifth and their final score in the eighth after a throwing error on a stolen base attempt. Salvador Perez picked up a consolation tally in the bottom of the ninth with a single that scored Vinnie Pasquantino. Marsh was charged with five earned runs in the loss, going five innings and allowing five hits and two walks while striking out six.

Minnesota also lost last night, keeping the Royals and Twins tied for second in the American League Central as well as for the second wild card spot, with Boston one game behind. The Royals wrap up their series with the Diamondbacks on Wednesday evening, with pregame coverage at 6:30 on KMMO FM 102.9. First pitch is at 7:10.