MIAMI (AP) — Luis Arraez singled twice and raised his major league-leading average to .403 as the Miami Marlins beat the Kansas City Royals 6-1 on Wednesday night.
Jesús Sánchez homered, singled twice and had four RBI for the Marlins, who won their sixth straight. The consecutive three-game series sweeps over the Royals and Oakland A’s are the first by the Marlins at home since winning six straight against Washington and Houston in 2008.
“We’re very confident and happy right now,” Sánchez said. “At the end of the day, the most important thing is to win the game. The positive vibe and adrenaline are there.”
Kansas City was swept in a series for the sixth time this year, dropping to 18-44 after its sixth loss in seven games, The Royals haven’t swept a single series.
Marlins starter Edward Cabrera’s one-run outing ended after throwing his warm-up pitches to begin the sixth. Manager Skip Schumaker and a Marlins trainer approached the mound and spoke with the right-hander, who was then removed because of a blister on the middle finger of his throwing hand.
Cabrera (5-4) gave up two hits, walked two, struck out four and hit a batter.
“I started feeling it in the third inning but we were winning and I couldn’t let the team down,” Cabrera said. “I kept fighting and throwing as many innings as I could.”
Jordan Lyles remained winless and lost his 10th decision. He allowed five runs, six hits, walked one and struck out two in seven-plus innings.
“He’s had several starts like that this year where he’s gone real deep in the games,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “And that’s something he’s always done. He’s durable and bounces back well.”
Left-handers Steven Okert, Tanner Scott, Andrew Nardi and A.J. Puk relieved Cabrera and threw an inning each to complete the three-hitter.
Sánchez’s three-run shot in the third erased a 1-0 deficit. Sánchez hit a change-up from Lyles over the wall in center for his sixth homer and second straight game.
“I wasn’t trying to hit a home run, just making a good swing,” Sánchez said.
Miami padded its lead in the eighth on Bryan De La Cruz’s two-run double and Sánchez’s RBI single.
The Royals struck first on Nick Pratto’s RBI single in the third inning.
HOMER DENIED
