Game: Kansas City Royals @ Florida Marlins
Venue: Dolphin Stadium
Start Time: 7:10 P.M. Eastern Time
Attendance: 14,825
Length of Game: 3:08
Starting Pitchers: Brett Tomko ( Royals) vs Andrew Miller ( Marlins)
When closer Joakim Soria's scoreless-inning streak ended, he quickly regrouped to keep the Kansas City Royals' winning streak going.
Soria allowed a run for the first time this season, then struck out the next two batters to end the game, and the Royals won their fifth in a row by beating the slumping Florida Marlins 7-6 Friday night.
Brett Tomko pitched six innings for his first victory in nearly six weeks, and two unearned runs provided the winning margin for Kansas City.
Soria had a three-run cushion when he gave up a two-run homer to Jeremy Hermida on an 0-2 curve with one out in the ninth. The right-hander then struck out Hanley Ramirez and Jorge Cantu -- both on curves -- for his 11th save.
The Royals' win streak is their longest since last June.
Guillen had three hits and drove in two runs, and Miguel Olivo drove in two runs with his fifth homer.
Soria retired the first batter in the ninth, then gave up only his second walk this year to Cody Ross. Hermida followed with his fifth homer to center.
Tomko (2-4) allowed five hits and two runs to win for the first time since April 6. He had lost his past four decisions.
Andrew Miller (3-3) pitched five innings and allowed four runs, two earned, for the NL East-leading Marlins. They've lost four in a row for the first time this year.
Shortstop Ramirez committed the error that allowed two unearned runs to score, and he also went 0-for-5. His $70 million, six-year contract extension is expected to be formally announced Saturday.
Florida's Dan Uggla hit his 13th home run and also doubled and scored. But two fielding gaffes in the fourth hurt the Marlins, who rank last in the majors in defense.
When Olivo hit a one-out dribbler in front of the plate, Miller had a routine play but threw wide of the bag to Helms. Because Helms wasn't standing on the base, Olivo was credited with an infield hit.
After Kansas City loaded the bases with two out, Tomko hit a one-hopper to Ramirez, whose errant throw to first allowed a run to score.
Miller walked Joey Gathright to force in another run and give Kansas City a 4-1 lead.
The Royals scored twice in the first when Mark Grudzielanek walked, Alex Gordon doubled and Guillen hit a two-run single. Olivo homered for a 6-2 lead after Billy Butler doubled in the eighth.
Gordon singled home a run in the ninth.
Uggla homered in the third to make it 2-1. Matt Treanor hit a two-out RBI double for Florida in the fourth, and Helms doubled home two runs in the eighth.
Up Next: Marlins ace Scott Olsen will be the next up to try and end this 4- game losing streak for the Marlins. Olsen currently has a 4-1 record with an ERA of 2.63. Olsen settled for a no-decison in his last start on May 11th in a 5-4 Marlins victory over the Nationals, where he pitched six innings giving up six hits and allowing four earned runs.
Brian Bannister will pitch for the Royals, he has a 4-4 record with an ERA of 3.75. Bannister went eight innings in a win over the Royals on May 11th, giving up 2 hits, 2 walks and 5 punch-outs.
First Pitch is set for 7:10 P.M. Eastern Time- Game will be televised locally on FSN Florida in HD, or can be heard on radio on 790 The Ticket AM Radio (English) or 1140 WQBA AM Radio (Spanish).
Paul Rodgers of Bad Company will be in concert following the game and fireworks.