KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - It appeared the Kansas City Royals might be poised for their 10th walk-off win of the season.

The game, however, ended with rookie Eric Hosmer popped with runners on the corners in a 3-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Chris Getz got his third hit, an infield single, with two outs in the ninth and stole second and third. Melky Cabrera coaxed a walk and manager Ned Yost inserted speedy Jarrod Dyson to run for him.

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Before Dyson had a chance to steal, Hosmer popped up on the first pitch from J.J. Putz, who got his 19th save in 22 opportunities.

``What Hosmer did today was a big mistake,' Yost said. ``He didn't give us a chance to steal the base. He was overanxious, wanting to make it happen too fast. When he learns to slow the game down that's when you'll see him be able to take advantage.'

Hosmer disagreed that it was a mistake to be swinging at the first Putz offering.

``The last one, I just missed it,' Hosmer said. ``He's a great closer. You've got to be ready to hit. He has a put-away splitter. You have to aggressive. If he gives you a pitch early you have to hit it.'

But shouldn't he take at least one pitch to give Dyson, who is 9-for-9 in stealing bases, an attempt to swipe second?

``Late in the game you worry about tying the game,' Hosmer said. ``Unfortunately, that didn't happen tonight. You're doing anything you can to help your team tie the ballgame, perhaps win the ballgame.'

Ian Kennedy pitched six strong innings and Xavier Nady hit an RBI double for the Diamondbacks.

Kennedy (8-2) allowed one run on eight hits, while striking out four and walking two to lower his ERA to 2.90. In his past 13 starts, he is 7-1 with a 2.16 ERA.

The NL West-leading Diamondbacks scored three runs on four hits in the fifth against Jeff Francis (3-8). Nady's double down the left-field line scored Wily Mo Pena with the first run.

Willie Bloomquist, who played last year for the Royals, singled home Miguel Montero with the second run. Ryan Roberts' sacrifice bunt scored Nady with the final run.

The Royals scored off Kennedy in the third inning when Getz and Melky Cabrera singled. Getz came home when Hosmer grounded into a double play.

Hosmer's triple in the seventh off Micah Owings scored Getz.

The Royals outhit the Diamondbacks 11-5, but grounded into three double plays, went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position and stranded nine runners.

``They scored three on five hits and we got two on 11 hits,' Yost said. ``We just couldn't get a big hit. They did a good job getting three on the board in the fifth. We just couldn't get anything going until the end and it wasn't enough.

``Francis only allowed one hard-hit ball. Nady's double was smoked, but otherwise not a lot. He threw the ball very well, kept us in the game and gave us a chance.'

NOTES: Yost shook up his batting order, moving CF Cabrera to leadoff for the first time. LF Alex Gordon, who had batted first in his previous 30 games, was moved to the cleanup slot. Hosmer, who had been batting third but is in a 5-for-39 slump, was shifted to the second slot, where Cabrera had been batting. It was only Gordon's third career start in the fourth spot. His previous two came in his 2007 rookie season. Cabrera batted leadoff in eight games last season for Atlanta, but hit only .094 in those games. ... Diamondbacks CF Justin Upton singled in the first inning and has hit safely in 11 of his past 13 games. ... Royals RHP Sean O'Sullivan, who is on the disabled list with right biceps tendinitis, made his first minor league rehab start Wednesday for Triple-A Omaha, and allowed four runs on six hits, including a home run, in 2 1-3 innings at Nashville.