Michael Wacha sets new career-high in innings pitched as Royals fall to Diamondbacks

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on Sep 9, 2026

Published in Baseball

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Royals starter Michael Wacha continues to set career milestones in his third season with the organization.

On Tuesday, Wacha reached a career-high in innings pitched in a season. He now sits at 182 2/3 innings after tossing six shutout frames against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Wacha eclipsed his previous high set during the 2015 campaign. And it was no coincidence that season also included an All-Star nomination.

The Royals have leaned on Wacha this season. He emerged as the ace of the pitching rotation after injuries sidelined Cole Ragans and Luinder Avila.

Wacha entered Tuesday’s game with a 3.36 ERA in 28 starts. Opponents were hitting .229 against him while he ranked first among American League leaders in quality starts and innings per game.

Despite walking four batters, Wacha managed to stymie the Diamondbacks’ offense at Kauffman Stadium. He allowed three hits and struck out four batters. His defense also chipped in as Vinnie Pasquantino started an unassisted double play in the fourth inning.

Wacha tossed 58 of 93 pitches for strikes. However, the Royals failed to give him adequate run support in a 5-3 loss in extra innings.

Kansas City tied the score with two outs in the ninth inning. John Rave hit a two-run home run to send the game to extras for the second consecutive night.

Both teams traded runs in the 10th. However, the Diamondbacks surged forward behind Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s RBI triple that fell between Rave and Kyle Isbel in the gap.

The Royals dropped to 64-82 and officially logged their first losing campaign since 2023.

However, the club had a few chances earlier in the game. In the second inning, Michael Massey hit a leadoff double and Isaac Collins walked to get aboard. After a wild pitch, both runners were in scoring position with less than one out.

However, both runners were stranded as Matthew Lugo and Kyle Isbel flew out to end the scoring opportunity. Nick Loftin also had a key at-bat earlier in the frame, but he struck out against Diamondbacks starter Corbin Burnes.

Burnes made his 2026 debut after being activated from the 60-day injured list. He was initially sidelined due to UCL surgery.

Burnes didn’t allow a run in three innings. He surrendered two hits and tossed 57 pitches in his return start. From there, the Diamondbacks bullpen kept the Royals off the scoreboard.

In the eighth inning, Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo recorded a sacrifice fly off Royals left-hander Connor Thomas. Ketel Marte — who started the inning with a single — scored the go-ahead run.

And in the ninth, Tim Tawa hit a solo homer to extend the lead. It was his 10th of the year with the club.

However, Rave picked up his teammate. His two-run homer in the ninth inning sent the game to extras.

The Diamondbacks (78-68) won the series outright as the club will look for the sweep in Wednesday’s finale.

What’s next

Royals left-hander Daniel Lynch IV (4-5, 3.51 ERA) will start Wednesday night against the Diamondbacks. Arizona has not named a starter with first pitch set for 7:40 pm. ET.

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