Royals’ Eighth-Inning Surge Downs Marlins, 5-1

Perez's clutch double sparks Kansas City's five-run explosion, securing the series win.

Mathey Gibson | Jun 26, 2024

Jun 26, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) celebrates with teammates after a game against the Miami Marlins at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports / © William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports

In a dramatic showdown under the Kansas City lights, the Royals came from behind to clinch a 5-1 victory over the Miami Marlins at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday.

The game was a nail-biter early on, with both sides locked in a tight battle through seven innings. Brady Singer showed his ace credentials for the Royals, striking out six and giving up just one run on five hits over a gutsy 7.1 innings.

The Marlins drew first blood in the second inning, courtesy of Nick Fortes' clutch single off Singer, briefly putting Miami in the driver's seat.

The game had been a pitchers' duel for most of the contest, with Valente Bellozo impressing in his MLB debut. Bellozo stifled the Royals with five innings of two-hit ball, encountering trouble only briefly in the second inning. Despite allowing a single to Hunter Renfroe and a sun-aided double to Freddy Fermin, Bellozo struck out Garrett Hampson to escape unscathed. He retired the next 10 batters he faced.

But then came the eighth inning, and it was like someone flipped a switch at the K.

Vinnie Pasquantino ignited the rally with a tying single, driving in Bobby Witt Jr., who had tripled to lead off the inning. Then Salvador Perez, the Royals' dependable veteran, delivered a pivotal double down the left-field line to bring home Dairon Blanco, giving Kansas City the lead. Nick Loftin followed up with an RBI single, and Freddy Fermin capped the five-run explosion with a two-run single, sealing the game firmly in Kansas City's favor.

On the mound, the Royals' bullpen shut the door emphatically. Anthony Bender and Andrew Nardi held Kansas City at bay through the seventh, setting the stage for Huascar Brazoban's ill-fated eighth inning for the Marlins. Brazoban struggled, surrendering five runs on five hits, sealing his fate and saddling him with the loss. Meanwhile, Angel Zerpa and James McArthur emerged as the heroes of the night for the Royals, calmly navigating through the final frames to secure the win.

With this victory, the Royals improve to 44-38 on the season, sitting 9.5 games behind the Guardians in the AL Central. A massive four-game series at home against Cleveland begins tomorrow at 7:10 p.m, a crucial set for Kansas City's playoff aspirations.

How It Happened...

FINAL — E9: Royals 5, Marlins 1.

Ninth Inning:

The top of the 9th inning was a quick and efficient one for the Kansas City Royals. James McArthur came in to close out the game and did just that with a series of groundouts. First up, Josh Bell grounded out to second baseman Maikel Garcia, who made a smooth throw to first baseman Salvador Perez for the first out. Then, Jesús Sánchez hit a grounder to third baseman Nick Loftin, who made the play to Perez at first for the second out. Finally, Jake Burger hit a grounder right back to McArthur, who tossed it to Garcia, who then threw it to Perez at first to end the game. FINAL: Royals 5, Marlins 1.

Eighth Inning:

In the bottom of the 8th inning, the Royals mounted a powerful rally to take the lead. Pinch-hitter Michael Massey struck out swinging for the first out. Maikel Garcia then grounded out, shortstop Vidal Bruján to first baseman Josh Bell. But the momentum shifted when Bobby Witt Jr. hit a sharp line drive to center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. for a triple, tying the game at 1-1. Vinnie Pasquantino followed with a single to center field, driving in Witt to give the Royals a 2-1 lead. Dairon Blanco, who replaced Pasquantino as a pinch-runner, stole second base and scored on a Salvador Perez double, extending the lead to 3-1. Nick Loftin kept the rally going with a single to left field, scoring Perez and making it 4-1. MJ Melendez then singled to right field, putting runners at the corners. Hunter Renfroe walked, loading the bases. Freddy Fermin came through with a clutch single to left field, driving in two more runs, and Renfroe advanced to third, bringing the score to 5-1. Michael Massey, batting again, grounded out to second baseman Otto Lopez, ending the inning. Royals 5, Marlins 1.

In the top of the 8th inning, the Marlins struggled to respond. Angel Zerpa replaced Brady Singer on the mound. Nick Fortes struck out on an automatic strike for the first out. Jazz Chisholm Jr. grounded out to shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who made the throw to first baseman Salvador Perez for the second out. Bryan De La Cruz then struck out swinging, wrapping up a quick inning for Zerpa.

Seventh Inning:

In the bottom of the 7th inning, the Royals continued to struggle to get on the board. Nick Loftin popped out to shortstop Vidal Bruján for the first out. Hunter Renfroe then singled on a line drive to center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr., providing a bit of hope for the Royals. MJ Melendez ultimately struck out swinging, followed by Freddy Fermin striking out swinging as well, leaving Renfroe stranded on base. The Marlins made another pitching change, bringing in Andrew Nardi to replace Anthony Bender.

In the top of the 7th inning, the Marlins were retired in order. Otto Lopez struck out swinging for the first out. Nick Gordon grounded out to second baseman Maikel Garcia, who threw to first baseman Salvador Perez for the second out. Vidal Bruján then grounded out to shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who made the throw to Perez to end the inning.

Sixth Inning:

In the bottom of the 6th inning, the Royals hoped to turn things around. Maikel Garcia started off by striking out looking. Vinnie Pasquantino gave the team a glimmer of hope with a sharp double to left fielder Nick Gordon, putting himself in scoring position. However, Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez both struck out swinging, ending the inning without a run. The Marlins made a pitching change, with Anthony Bender replacing Valente Bellozo.

In the top of the 6th inning, the Marlins were retired in order. Josh Bell lined out sharply to right fielder Hunter Renfroe. Jesús Sánchez followed with a lineout to second baseman Maikel Garcia. Jake Burger then grounded out to third baseman Nick Loftin, who threw to first baseman Salvador Perez to end the inning.

Fifth Inning:

In the bottom of the 5th inning, the Royals were still looking to spark some offense but had no luck. Hunter Renfroe popped out to catcher Nick Fortes in foul territory for the first out. Freddy Fermin then flew out to center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr., followed by Garrett Hampson grounding out, catcher Nick Fortes to first baseman Josh Bell, wrapping up another scoreless inning for Kansas City.

In the top of the 5th inning, the Marlins couldn’t extend their lead either. Nick Fortes attempted a bunt but grounded out softly, third baseman Nick Loftin to first baseman Salvador Perez. Jazz Chisholm Jr. then grounded out to second baseman Maikel Garcia, who made the throw to Perez for the second out. Bryan De La Cruz ended the inning by striking out swinging.

Fourth Inning:

In the bottom of the 4th inning, the Royals struggled to get anything going offensively. Salvador Perez flew out to left fielder Nick Gordon for the first out. Then, Nick Loftin grounded out to second baseman Otto Lopez, who threw to first baseman Josh Bell for the second out. MJ Melendez also grounded out to Otto Lopez, who again connected with Bell at first to end the inning.

In the top of the 4th inning, the Marlins had a similar fate. Jake Burger grounded out to first baseman Salvador Perez. Otto Lopez then grounded out to second baseman Maikel Garcia, who threw to Perez for the out. Nick Gordon managed to double on a line drive to center fielder Garrett Hampson, which was deflected by right fielder Hunter Renfroe. However, Vidal Bruján grounded out to first baseman Perez, who threw to pitcher Brady Singer to close the inning.

Third Inning:

In the bottom of the 3rd inning, the Royals continued to struggle at the plate. Maikel Garcia led off but struck out on a foul tip. Bobby Witt Jr. then flew out to center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Vinnie Pasquantino followed suit by flying out to right fielder Jesús Sánchez, ending the inning quickly with no hits and no runs.

In the top of the 3rd inning, the Marlins didn’t fare much better. Bryan De La Cruz grounded out to first baseman Salvador Perez, who threw to pitcher Brady Singer covering the base for the first out. Josh Bell then lined out to right fielder Hunter Renfroe, and Jesús Sánchez flew out to left fielder MJ Melendez, resulting in a swift 1-2-3 inning.

Second Inning:

In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Nick Loftin started off by grounding out to shortstop Vidal Bruján, but then Hunter Renfroe singled on a line drive to left fielder Nick Gordon. Freddy Fermin followed up with a double that landed in a tricky spot for Bruján, putting Renfroe on third. However, MJ Melendez then lined out to second baseman Otto Lopez. With two outs, Garrett Hampson struck out swinging, marking Valente Bellozo’s first MLB strikeout and leaving the Royals still scoreless.

The Marlins managed to break the deadlock in the second. Otto Lopez grounded out softly to pitcher Brady Singer, who threw to first baseman Salvador Perez for the first out. Nick Gordon then flew out sharply to center fielder Garrett Hampson. But with two outs, Vidal Bruján doubled on a line drive to left fielder MJ Melendez. Nick Fortes then delivered with a single to right fielder Hunter Renfroe, bringing in Bruján to score the first run of the game. Jazz Chisholm Jr. ended the inning by striking out swinging. Marlins 1, Royals 0.

First Inning:

In the first inning, the Royals had a bit of a rough start. Salvador Perez grounded out to third baseman Jake Burger, and then Vinnie Pasquantino popped out to shortstop Vidal Bruján, quickly giving them two outs. Just when things looked bleak, Bobby Witt Jr. got hit by a pitch and made it to first base. Unfortunately, Maikel Garcia then flew out to right fielder Jesús Sánchez in foul territory, ending the inning.

In the top of the first, Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a sharp single to right fielder Hunter Renfroe but was caught stealing second base, thanks to a throw from catcher Freddy Fermin to second baseman Maikel Garcia. Josh Bell then walked, and Jesús Sánchez singled, moving Bell to second base. Bryan De La Cruz flew out to right fielder Hunter Renfroe for the second out. Finally, Jake Burger struck out swinging against Brady Singer, ending the inning with no runs for the Marlins as well.