Otto López delivered the decisive blow with a go-ahead two-run double in the bottom of the eighth inning, lifting the Miami Marlins to a 3-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday afternoon at loanDepot park.
The win extended the Marlins’ season-best winning streak to four games and continued their remarkable run since mid-June; Miami is now 21-10 since June 13.
Trailing 1-0 heading into the eighth, the Royals briefly tied it on Salvador Pérez’s solo home run — his 14th of the season — off Miami reliever Ronny Henriquez (6-1). Pérez drove a fastball deep over the center-field wall to open the inning.
But the Marlins responded immediately. Graham Pauley drew a leadoff walk against Royals reliever Lucas Erceg (4-3) and raced to third when Xavier Edwards ripped a double into the right-field corner. After an intentional walk to Jesús Sánchez, López stepped up and drilled a drive over left fielder Nick Loftin, bringing home Pauley and Edwards to restore Miami’s lead.
Anthony Bender then came on in the ninth and slammed the door with a perfect inning, securing his third save of the season.
Edwards sparked Miami’s offense with a triple and double, continuing his recent hot stretch. Kyle Stowers, who had belted five homers over the previous two games, contributed a double and drew two walks, adding to the pressure on Kansas City’s pitching staff.
The Marlins had struck first in the opening inning. Edwards tripled off Royals starter Michael Wacha, then scored on López’s RBI groundout to third. Wacha settled down from there, allowing just three hits and striking out one over six innings.
Miami starter Cal Quantrill was equally sharp. Despite not earning a decision and remaining winless since May 18, Quantrill fired six scoreless innings, gave up only two hits, and retired the final 10 batters he faced before exiting after just 69 pitches.
Edwards overcame an automatic strike call for a clock violation before his crucial double in the eighth. Royals star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. went 0-for-4, ending his road hitting streak at 27 games — the longest in the majors this season.
With the series finale set for Sunday, the Marlins (21-10 since June 13) will look to keep rolling as they continue to surge back into the postseason conversation.
