Third baseman Graham Pauley and designated hitter Kyle Stowers each delivered a home run to power the Miami Marlins to a 6-3 win over the Kansas City Royals in Tuesday's series opener.
Tyler Phillips had an excellent start: five innings pitched, allowed just one hit, and struck out four batters. It's the third start this season he didn't give up a run in at least five innings. Phillips (4-6) was credited with the win and the bullpen was sustinable for the most part.
Other than relievers Victor Vodnik and Tyler Zubec, the Marlins' pitching staff held the Royals to two hits and scoreless.
Pauley had a remarkable performance from the batter's box: two hits in four at-bats, a home run, and a career-high four runs batted in. He and second baseman Javier Sanoja were the only Marlins to finish with at least two hits.
"Awesome day for [Pauley]," Stowers told Stephen Storms on Marlins Radio Network . "Really good game out of him. I said jokingly to some of the guys, 'We needed September to come a little sooner to get Pauley back.'"
After a scoreless opening inning, the Marlins began to flip the scoreboard.
Right fielder Owen Caissie singled, then Pauley slugged Dobnak's 85.5-mile changeup from below the strike zone to 391 feet deep into the stands at right field. It's only the 25-year-old's second home run of the season, which gave the Marlins a 2-0 lead. Pauley delivered power to the lineup just hours after being recalled from Triple-A.
Despite two outs on the board and striking out swinging earlier, Stowers slugged an 84.1-mile sweeper from low in the strike zone to 412 feet deep into the stands at center field. It's the 28-year-old's 17th home run of the season, the second most within the clubhouse, only behind Heriberto Hernandez's 22 total.
The Marlins kept the rally going late in the game.
It began with shortstop Otto Lopez hitting a single, then catcher Joe Mack singled, which allowed the All-Star to advance to third base. Pauley delivered another big swing by driving both runners home with a triple to right field. Sanoja returned the favor with a single to give the Marlins a 6-0 lead.
Vodnik was on the mound and couldn't carry the Marlins' shutout momentum.
The Royals started a late rally with third baseman Josh Rojas singling, then left fielder Isaac Collins walked. Catcher Carter Jensen doubled to score the Royals a run, then shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. delivered a sacrifice fly to cut the Marlins' lead to four.
Initially, Vodnik was called for a balk, which would've allowed another run, but the call was overturned and right fielder Jac Cagilanone flied out to end the inning.
The Royals made one final attempt of a comeback against Zuber on the mound. Second baseman Nick Lofton slugged a solo homer, then Rojas singled, but three outs ended all hopes.
The Marlins will face the Royals on Wednesday and first pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. E.T.
Anthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes , Miami Heat , and Miami Marlins for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: alexagmu@gmail.com & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
