MIAMI – The Kansas City Royals snapped the Miami Marlins’ four-game winning streak on Sunday, securing a 7-4 victory to avoid a three-game sweep. Left-hander Kris Bubic delivered a masterful performance, tossing five shutout innings, while veteran catcher Salvador Perez led the offense with a home run and a double.
Bubic (8-6) was in control from the outset, surrendering just three hits and one walk in his dominant outing. The Royals’ bullpen, however, encountered some turbulence in the ninth. Andrew Hoffmann allowed four unearned runs in two-thirds of an inning, but Carlos Estévez entered to record the final out, notching his 26th save of the season.
Perez showcased his power in the eighth inning, launching his 15th home run of the year. The Royals’ offense had already built a comfortable lead, putting up three runs in the fourth and adding three more in the fifth.
In the pivotal fourth inning, Bobby Witt Jr. scored on Maikel Garcia’s sacrifice fly, followed by Perez’s ground-rule double. Jac Caglianone then delivered a two-run double off Marlins starter Janson Junk (4-2). The fifth inning saw Jonathan India connect for a two-run double, and Vinnie Pasquantino added an RBI sacrifice fly, extending Kansas City’s lead to 6-0.
Miami attempted a late comeback with Xavier Edwards and Agustín Ramírez each contributing two RBIs, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Royals’ early surge.
The Royals’ offensive outburst in the fourth was sparked by Bobby Witt Jr.’s major league-leading 33rd double of the season, followed by a single from Vinnie Pasquantino. Kansas City, already among the league leaders in doubles, added five more two-baggers in Sunday’s contest.
Looking ahead, the Royals will travel to Chicago to face the Cubs on Monday night. Noah Cameron (3-4, 2.31) is slated to start for Kansas City. Pregame coverage will begin at 6:30 PM CDT on Superstar Country 102.5 FM & 1530 AM KQNK, with first pitch from Wrigley Field scheduled for 7:05 PM CDT.
