Luis Arraez and bottom of Marlins Marlins’ lineup lead way in win over Kansas City Royal

Tribune Content Agency

MIAMI — Luis Arraez did it again.

And the bottom of the Miami Marlins’ lineup stepped up once again, too.

Arraez, the Miami Marlins’ hit-collecting second baseman, logged another three hits out of the leadoff spot.

The bottom four players in Miami’s lineup — catcher Nick Fortes, shortstop Joey Wendle, third baseman Jon Berti and center fielder Jonathan Davis — followed Arraez’s lead by combining for seven hits, six runs scored and five RBI.

Together, it paved the way for the Marlins in a 9-6 win over the Kansas City Royals on Monday to begin a three-game series at loanDepot park.

Monday marked Arraez’s eighth game this season with at least three hits. He now has as many games with at least three hits as games in which he has been held without a hit.

And his batting average, through 56 games played: .399.

And all of his hits either punctuated or started rallies after Miami (33-28) fell behind 4-0 early.

His third-inning double capped a two-run frame that started with a Wendle double, Berti single and Davis RBI fielder’s choice to cut Miami’s deficit to 4-2.

His fourth-inning single was the final hit of a four-run outburst — all with two outs — that started with a Fortes single and continued with a Wendle bunt single, Berti two-run triple and Davis RBI double that gave Miami a 6-4 lead.

Arraez then singled with two outs in the sixth before Bryan De La Cruz hit a two-run home run to push Miami’s lead to 9-4.

Fortes also had an RBI single in the fifth that scored Yuli Gurriel.

It was more than enough offense to back up Braxton Garrett, who gave up four runs on six hits over five innings. Garrett struck out six and did not issue a walk.

The bullpen held the Royals (18-42) to two over the final four innings, with Dylan Floro picking up his seventh save by getting a double play in the ninth.