Gordon's and Chisholm's two-out hits rally Marlins past Royals, 2-1
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Yonny Chirinos throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Nick Gordon’s infield hit highlighted the Miami Marlins late two-out rally for a 2-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday evening.
Miami Marlins center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. waits in the outfield during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
After collecting just two singles in six scoreless innings against Seth Lugo, the Marlins recorded four hits in the seventh, scoring both runs with two out against relievers Carlos Hernández (0-1) and Will Smith.
Kansas City Royals' Maikel Garcia (11) celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a single by Vinnie Pasquantino during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
“It’s never an easy decision,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of removing Lugo. “He’s so good. With the heat and where they were in the batting order and how we felt about Carlos in that spot, all those things factor in.”
Otto López doubled and scored the tying run when second baseman Maikel Garcia threw wildly after making a diving stop on Gordon’s grounder.
Gordon later scored on Jazz Chisholm’s infield hit and Smith’s throwing error.
“We put the ball in play and got a little fortunate on a couple of those plays,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “But there’s value in putting the ball in play. We made things happen. It wasn’t a ton of hard contact, but a win’s a win.”
Kansas City Royals' Maikel Garcia (11) beats the tag by Miami Marlins shortstop Tim Anderson to steal second during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
López had two hits and has four of the Marlins’ 11 hits in the series.
Starter Yonny Chirinos and four Marlins relievers retired 15 consecutive Royals hitters before Salvador Perez’s single with one out in the ninth.
“The bullpen was just outstanding,” Schumaker said. “Chirinos, really good. Five strong innings, a lot of weak contact, pounded the strike zone with his slider, really opened up his sinker and was able to elevate his fastball at times.”
Miami Marlins' Otto Lopez (61) beats the tag by Kansas City Royals second baseman Maikel Garcia to steal second during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
In his second start of the season, Chirinos permitted a run on three hits and three walks with five strikeouts in five innings.
“Part of the key, just to go a little deeper in the game, was attacking hitters,” Chirinos said. “Getting ahead in the count, getting the first pitch for a strike, that gives you more options.”
A.J. Puk (2-8) struck out two while recording four outs for the win. Tanner Scott earned his 10th save as the Marlins have won 5 of 7.
Lugo spun four hitless innings, allowing only a second-inning walk. He finished six shutout innings, allowing two hits and two walks, striking out eight. Lugo leads the majors with 110 innings pitched, and his 12 starts of at least six innings with no more than two runs allowed are most in the majors.
Kansas City Royals center fielder Kyle Isbel waits in the outfield during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
“Lugo was really good,” Schumaker said. “He can spin the ball as good as anybody in the league. He kept us off-balance with his changeup and elevated fastball. He was excellent tonight.”
The Royals took a first-inning lead when Maikel Garcia walked, stole two bases and scored on Vinnie Pasquantino’s sharp single to center.
Kansas City managed just four hits and have lost 12 of 16.
Miami Marlins catcher Ali Sanchez, left, and starting pitcher Yonny Chirinos (26) talk on the mound during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
“We were just bad tonight,” Pasquantino said. “It seems to be a common theme over the past few weeks. Hoping to take a step forward after last night. We didn’t do that.”
UP NEXT
Royals RHP Brady Singer (4-4, 3.29 ERA) takes the mound. The Marlins will call up RHP Valente Bellozo for his major league debut in Wednesday afternoon’s series finale.
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Marc Bowman, The Associated Press