Despite seeing their second-longest win streak of the season come to a halt, the four consecutive wins coming into Sunday — and the 21-11 record since June 13 — breathed life into a Marlins’ organization that feels they have enough to make a run in the second half of the season.

Despite scoring four runs, all with two outs in the ninth, the Marlins lost to the Royals 7-4 at loanDepot park, missing a chance to sweep their third series in the past month

Steven Cruz, Taylor Clarke and Sam Long all threw scoreless innings. Salvador Perez launched a solo homer to start the 8th inning as well, to put the Royals up 7-0.

The rest of the Royals’ lineup remained silent as the Marlins earned a series victory with a 3-1 win at LoanDepot Park. The Royals had just three hits. Bobby Witt Jr. went hitless and failed to extend his franchise-record road hitting streak to 28 games. Vinnie Pasquantino struck out twice.

MIAMI — Otto López hit a go-ahead two-run double in the eighth inning and the Miami Marlins beat the Kansas City Royals 3-1 on Saturday. Xavier Edwards tripled and doubled for the Marlins, who won their fourth straight and are 21-10 since June 13. Miami’s Kyle Stowers doubled and had two walks after hitting five homers in the last two games.

BOTTOM LINE: The Miami Marlins face the Kansas City Royals with a 1-0 series lead. Miami has a 45-51 record overall and a 21-27 record at home. Marlins hitters are batting a collective .254, which ranks fourth in the NL.

Bachar challenged Frazier with a sweeper on the inside part of the plate. Frazier reached down and sent the baseball into right field. Both Jonathan India (in the game as KC’s designated extra-innings runner) and Bobby Witt Jr. came home to score.

Janson Junk has handled his transition from the Marlins' bullpen to their rotation with ease, limiting home runs and walks to a historic degree.