Marlins’ Luis Arraez raises league-leading batting average to .403 in victory over Royals

Luis Arraez singled twice and raised his major league-leading average to .403 as the Miami Marlins beat the Kansas City Royals 6-1 on Wednesday night.

Jesús Sánchez homered, singled twice and had four RBI for the Marlins, who won their sixth straight. The consecutive three-game series sweeps over the Royals and Oakland A’s are the first by the Marlins at home since winning six straight against Washington and Houston in 2008.

“We’re very confident and happy right now,” Sánchez said. “At the end of the day, the most important thing is to win the game. The positive vibe and adrenaline are there.”

Kansas City was swept in a series for the sixth time this year, dropping to 18-44 after its sixth loss in seven games, The Royals haven’t swept a single series.

Marlins starter Edward Cabrera’s one-run outing ended after throwing his warm-up pitches to begin the sixth. Manager Skip Schumaker and a Marlins trainer approached the mound and spoke with the right-hander, who was then removed because of a blister on the middle finger of his throwing hand.

Cabrera (5-4) gave up two hits, walked two, struck out four and hit a batter.

“I started feeling it in the third inning but we were winning and I couldn’t let the team down,” Cabrera said. “I kept fighting and throwing as many innings as I could.”

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Jordan Lyles remained winless and lost his 10th decision. He allowed five runs, six hits, walked one and struck out two in seven-plus innings.

“He’s had several starts like that this year where he’s gone real deep in the games,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “And that’s something he’s always done. He’s durable and bounces back well.”

Left-handers Steven Okert, Tanner Scott, Andrew Nardi and A.J. Puk relieved Cabrera and threw an inning each to complete the three-hitter.

Sánchez’s three-run shot in the third erased a 1-0 deficit. Sánchez hit a change-up from Lyles over the wall in center for his sixth homer and second straight game.

“I wasn’t trying to hit a home run, just making a good swing,” Sánchez said.

Miami padded its lead in the eighth on Bryan De La Cruz’s two-run double and Sánchez’s RBI single.

The Royals struck first on Nick Pratto’s RBI single in the third inning.

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HOMER DENIED

Marlins centerfield Garrett Hampson tracked down Bobby Witt Jr.’s drive, jumped and caught it above the wall in the fourth.

“It was high enough where I could get to the wall,” Hampson said. “Just trying to get back and find the wall, kind of get a general idea where the wall is and go make the play.”

ROSTER MOVE

The Royals placed RHP Josh Staumont (neck strain) on the 15-day injured list and recalled LHP Austin Cox from Triple-A Omaha.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: OF Kyle Isbel (left hamstring strain) will return to the club’s spring training complex in Arizona to continue his progression, Quatraro said.

Marlins: OF-INF Jazz Chisholm Jr. (turf toe) will travel with the team on its upcoming three-city trip as he moves closer to resuming baseball activities. … OF-DH Jorge Soler didn’t play as he deals with right thumb soreness after fouling off a pitch against Oakland on Sunday.

UP NEXT

Royals: LHP Daniel Lynch (0-1, 4.35) starts the opener of a three-game series at Baltimore on Friday. The Orioles have not announced their starter.

Marlins: RHP Eury Pérez (3-1, 2.25) will start the opener of a three-game road series at the Chicago White Sox on Friday. RHP Dylan Cease (3-3, 4.63) gets the start for the White Sox.