KANSAS CITY — Salvador Pérez capped a two-out, five-run eighth inning with a go-ahead double as the Kansas City Royals beat the Miami Marlins 5-1 on Wednesday to win the series.
Venezuelan Ángel Zerpa (1-0) had the last two outs in the eighth in relief of Brady Singer, who allowed an RBI single to Dominican Vidal Bruján in the second inning, but little else. James McArthur took charge of the ninth.
Mexican Valente Bellozo and the bullpen paralyzed Kansas City until the eighth when Bobby Whit Jr. began the comeback with a triple against the Dominican Huascar Brazoban (0-1). Vinnie Pasquantino followed with a tying single and after Cuban pinch-hitter Dairon Blanco stole second, Perez hit the go-ahead double for Kansas City.
Nick Loftin added an RBI single and Venezuelan Freddy Fermín drove in two more runs to give McArthur some breathing room.
For the Marlins, the Dominicans Bryan de la Cruz 4-0, Jesús Sánchez 4-1, Otto López 3-0, Vidal Bruján 3-1 with one run scored.
For the Royals, Venezuelans Maikel García 0-for-4, Pérez 1-for-4 with one run scored and one RBI, Fermín 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
