Rays win 6th straight, sweep Marlins in Citrus Series

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Yonny Chirinos allowed one run in five innings before leaving with a hand injury and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Miami Marlins 7-2 on Sunday to match their longest winning streak this season at six games.

Chirinos (9-5) gave up two hits but was pulled after 63 pitches due to right middle finger inflammation. Diego Castillo, Colin Poche and Andrew Kittredge finished a six-hitter.

Mike Brosseau and Jesus Aguilar both homered and had two RBIs each for the Rays, who also won six in a row from May 25-30.

Brian Anderson homered for the Marlins, who have lost four of five and dropped to an NL-worst 42-67.

Caleb Smith (7-5) gave up three runs — one earned — six hits and four walks in five innings. He had been 4-0 in five starts since a June 6 loss at Milwaukee.

Jesus Aguilar had a sacrifice fly and Brosseau an RBI single during a two-run first, and Brosseau homered for a 3-0 lead in the fifth. All four of his previous homers had come against Baltimore.

Anderson hit a solo homer with two outs in the fourth for the Marlins’ first hit. Tampa Bay opened a 6-1 lead in the seventh when Travis d’Arnaud hit an RBI single against the shift and Avisail Garcia hit a two-run double. D’Arnaud has 27 RBIs in 22 games since July 1.

Aguilar homered in the eighth off Kyle Keller.

COLLISION AFTERMATH

Marlins INF Neil Walker (jammed right index finger) didn’t play but could be back soon. He collided with Tampa Bay’s Kevin Kiermaier while fielding a grounder between home and first base Saturday.

SHIFTING SPOTS

With a number of promising infield prospects, Miami 2B Starlin Castro is taking grounders at third base.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Marlins: CF Cesar Puello left after four innings with left hip flexor tightness. … RHP Ryne Stanek (right hip) is expected to return from the 10-day IL Monday.

Rays: AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, out since July 22 due to loose bodies in his left elbow that required surgery, may get a date to resume throwing Monday.

UP NEXT

Marlins: RHP Sandy Alcantara (4-10) and RHP Robert Dugger start a doubleheader Monday at the New York Mets. Dugger would be making is major league debut.

Rays: RHP Charlie Morton (12-3) will face Toronto RHP Jacob Waguespack (2-1) Monday night.