Six-run inning lifts Royals over Marlins

Ryan McBroom's three-run double capped a six-run seventh inning as the Kansas City Royals defeated the host Miami Marlins 7-2 Saturday night. After the Royals did little anything against Marlins starter Caleb Smith, who scattered four hits and struck out eight with two walks in six innings, they unloaded against Miami's bullpen in the seventh.

Bubba Starling led off with an infield single off of Adam Conley, and pinch hitter Cheslor Cuthbert walked. Whit Merrifield blooped a single into left field, and when Austin Dean bobbled the ball, Starling scored to tie the game at 1-1. Adalberto Mondesi struck out against Ryne Stanek, but Cuthbert advanced to third on a wild pitch with Jorge Soler at the plate. When Starlin Castro couldn't field catcher Jorge Alfaro's throw trying to get Cuthbert, Merrifield advanced to second. Soler was walked intentionally before Hunter Dozier singled in Cuthbert. Alex Gordon then walked on four pitches, forcing in a run, before McBroom hit a Stanek fastball down the right field line to clear the bases.

Starter Danny Duffy (6-6) picked up the win for Kansas City, despite battling his control. He gave up one run on two hits with five strikeouts, but also walked four in his six innings. Tim Hill pitched the final 1 2/3 innings for his first save of the season and the third of his career. Conley (2-8) took the loss. He allowed all three batters he faced in the seventh to reach base, and all three scored. Stanek also allowed three runs in his one-third of an inning.

Smith did work around some trouble in the first five innings, allowing at least one batter to reach base in each inning, before retiring the side in order in the sixth. The Marlins got on the board with a gift run in the second. After Alfaro looped a one-out single to left, Duffy walked Dean and Lewis Brinson to load the bases with two outs. He then nicked Smith with an inside pitch to force in a run. But that was the only run he allowed.

The Marlins added a run in the eighth on a Harold Ramirez RBI single -- the first run they have ever scored at Marlins Park off the Royals' bullpen in five games. Soler's 41st home run provided the Royals' final run in the ninth.

 

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