Max Scherzer outpitches Zack Greinke for Diamondbacks in 12-5 win over Royals

Scherzer outpitches Greinke for D-backs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Max Scherzer outpitched Zack Greinke and Mark Reynolds homered off Kansas City’s ace to help the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Royals 12-5 Wednesday night.

Scherzer (4-4) held the Royals to two runs on nine hits and three walks, winning for the fourth time in five decisions.

Stephen Drew hit a three-run triple in the Diamondbacks’ five-run eighth and Chris Young had three walks and a single, scoring each time to match his career high.

Greinke (8-3) has an 5.46 ERA in his past four starts after beginning the season 7-1. His overall ERA rose to 1.96 as he gave up six runs, four earned, on eight hits, while striking out nine.

Reynolds struck out in his first three at-bats, bringing his NL-leading total to 93 before taking Greinke deep to left with two out in the seventh.

The Diamondbacks took advantage of errors by Jose Guillen and Miguel Olivo to score three runs in the fourth and take a 4-1 lead.

Guillen’s errant throw home from right field on Miguel Montero’s single allowed Young and Montero to move up a base before Olivo dropped the ball when Mark Teahen threw home on Chris Snyder’s grounder, allowing both runners to score.

Guillen drove in three runs with a two-out double in the first and groundout in the fifth after Mike Jacobs tripled. Guillen added a RBI single in the Royals’ three-run ninth.

Kansas City’s Mitch Maier had three hits, matching his career high.

NOTES: Royals RHP Sidney Ponson, on the disabled list with a strained elbow, made his first minor league rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Omaha, pitching two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out two at New Orleans. … The Diamondbacks’ 12 runs matched a season high. They also scored 12 on May 15 at Atlanta. … The Royals lead the majors with 24 triples. Jacobs’ triple was his first with Kansas City.