Caleb Smith deals 6 scoreless innings, but Marlins fall to Royals 7-2

MIAMI (AP) — Ryan McBroom doubled twice and had three RBI to help the Kansas City Royals beat the Miami Marlins 7-2 on Saturday night.

McBroom’s bases-clearing double off Miami reliever Ryne Stanek in the seventh capped a six-run inning.

Jorge Soler hit his 41st homer, a solo blast in the ninth, and Hunter Dozier had two hits for the Royals, who have won six of seven.

Adam Conley (2-8) started the seventh in relief of Marlins starter Caleb Smith and allowed Bubba Starling‘s leadoff infield single and walked pinch hitter Cheslor Cuthbert. Miami left-fielder Austin Dean muffed Whit Merrifield‘s single that allowed Starling to score from third on the error and tie it at 1.

Dozier’s single with the bases loaded off Stanek put the Royals ahead 2-1 and Alex Gordon‘s bases loaded increased Kansas City’s advantage.

Danny Duffy (6-6) allowed one run and two hits in six innings. Duffy struck out five and walked two.

Harold Ramirez‘s one-out single off Royals reliever Jacob Barnes in the eighth got Miami to within 6-2. Tim Hill retired pinch-hitter Martin Prado on an inning-ending double play and got the final five outs for his first save.

Smith pitched six shutout innings, allowed four hits, struck out eight and walked two. The left-hander was lifted after 100 pitches.

The Marlins took an early lead after Duffy hit Smith with the bases loaded in the second. Duffy allowed a one-out single to Jorge Alfaro and walked Dean and Lewis Brinson.

UP NEXT:

Royals: LHP Mike Montgomery (3-7, 4.42) has allowed two earned runs over 12 innings in his last two starts.

Marlins: RHP Sandy Alcantara (4-12, 4.26) seeks to snap a six-game losing skid in his team-leading 28th start Sunday. Alcantara is winless since June 21 but has limited opposing batters to a .167 average in his last six starts.