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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

MIAMI – Marlins right-hander Cal Quantrill tossed six scoreless innings and Otto Lopez drove in three runs in Saturday’s series-clinching 3-1 victory over the Royals at loanDepot park.