Jordan Luplow’s pinch-hit, three-run home run and Pavin Smith’s two-run blast highlighted a five-run sixth inning as the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the visiting Kansas City Royals 8-6 Tuesday night to complete a two-game sweep.

Joe Mantiply (2-0) got the win in relief for the Diamondbacks, who have won five of six. Mark Melancon earned his 10th save.

Taylor Clarke (1-1) took the loss for the Royals, who have lost six straight games.

Neither starter factored in the decision. Kansas City’s Jonathan Heasley gave up three runs on four hits in five innings. He struck out five and walked six.

Zac Gallen, who entered the game with a 0.712 WHIP, allowed nine baserunners in 5 1/3 innings. He surrendered six runs on seven hits, plus two walks. Gallen had not allowed more than two runs in any start this season and had allowed two only once. The six runs were one more than what he had allowed in 39 1/3 innings.

The Diamondbacks grabbed the lead on a leadoff home run from Daulton Varsho on Heasley’s second pitch.

The Royals answered with a two-run homer by MJ Melendez in the second. It was just Gallen’s second homer allowed this season.

Heasley’s wild pitch tied the game in the second.

Whit Merrifield stroked a single to right in the third, giving him his eighth multi-hit game of the month, after just one in April. Andrew Benintendi slapped an opposite-field double to left, putting runners on second and third. Bobby Witt Jr. drove home Merrifield with a groundout.

David Peralta launched a home run to left center in the fourth. Heasley followed that with his fifth walk, marking the fifth straight game that the Royals have surrendered at least five walks.

Melendez came through again in the sixth, doubling off the wall with two on and no outs. The runners had to hold, so it resulted in just one run but put two in scoring position. Dairon Blanco picked up his first two career RBIs with a two-out single.

But the Royals couldn’t hold the lead.

–Field Level Media