MIAMI (AP) Yordano Ventura escaped two threats while pitching six innings, and the Kansas City Royals extended their winning streak to nine games by beating the Miami Marlins 1-0 on Tuesday night.
Ventura (9-9), who reached 101 mph on the scoreboard radar gun, allowed six hits and one walk while striking out six. Royals starters have an ERA of 1.69 during the winning streak, Kansas City’s longest since June 2014.
Three relievers closed out the win and extended the bullpen’s streak of 32 consecutive shutout innings since Aug. 10. Kelvin Herrera pitched a perfect ninth for his eighth save.
The Marlins had won three straight but were shut out despite totaling seven hits. They went 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position.
Miami loaded the bases with two outs in the third, but Marcell Ozuna flied out to end the inning. Ventura pitched around a leadoff double by Ozuna in the sixth.
The Royals won with six hits. They scored the lone run in the sixth when Paulo Orlando led off with a single, stole second and came home on Lorenzo Cain‘s single.
Andrew Cashner (4-10) had his best outing in five starts for the Marlins but fell to 0-3 since joining them on July 30. He allowed one run in six innings.
The Marlins played their 15th consecutive game decided by three runs or less, a club record. They are 7-8 during the stretch.
HOSMER HOMECOMING
The Royals played in Miami for the first time since 2008, and it was Eric Hosmer‘s first game in his hometown. He went 0 for 3 with a walk.
DEPARTURE
Ozuna left the game in the eighth inning because of a family emergency.
REVERSAL
Cain was caught stealing in the sixth when the initial call of safe was overturned by replay.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Royals: LHP Jason Vargas, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, made his first Triple-A rehab start Monday and allowed three runs in three innings for Omaha.
UP NEXT
RHP Jose Fernandez (12-7, 3.05) is scheduled to start Wednesday for Miami against RHP Dillon Gee (5-6, 4.52). In his past four starts, Fernandez is 0-3 with an ERA of 6.00.
Picture credit – Lynne Sladky / Associated Press (Miami, FL)
