Salvador Perez’s RBI double highlighted a late rally as the Kansas City Royals rebounded for a 5-1 win over the visiting Miami Marlins on Wednesday afternoon to win the rubber game of the three-game series.

Trailing 1-0 with two in the eighth, the Royals erupted for five straight hits against Huascar Brazoban (0-1). Bobby Witt Jr. tripled and scored on Vinnie Pasquantino’s sharp single to center, tying the game.

Pinch-runner Dairon Blanco stole second and scored on Perez’s drive down the left-field line. Perez scored on Nick Loftin’s looping single to left and Freddy Fermin, after a walk, capped the five-run outburst with a two-run, bases-loaded single.

Fermin, Pasquantino and Hunter Renfroe each collected two hits for the Royals.

Kansas City starter Brady Singer allowed just one hit after the second inning, retiring the final 11 batters he faced. He pitched 7 1/3 innings, surrendering one run on five hits and a walk, with five strikeouts.

Angel Zerpa (1-0) struck out one of two batters he faced to earn the win. James McArthur pitched a hitless ninth as Royals pitchers retired the final 16 Marlins hitters.

Kansas City won its first series since June 7-9 after dropping four straight. The Royals are 5-12 since last winning consecutive games June 7-8.

The Royals’ rally spoiled the major league debut of Marlins hurler Valente Bellozo.

An early April minor league acquisition from the Houston Astros, Bellozo effectively mixed fastballs away and changeups low in the zone. He retired the final 10 batters while finishing five shutout innings, allowing two hits with two strikeouts.

Miami took a 1-0 lead with two out in the second. After Vidal Brujan doubled to left, Nick Fortes delivered an RBI single to right.

The series loss was the Marlins’ first since dropping six straight games June 12-17. They have won five of eight games.

–Field Level Media