Luis Arraez and bottom of Miami Marlins’ lineup lead way in win over Kansas City Royals

Luis Arraez did it again.

And the bottom of the Miami Marlins’ lineup stepped up once again, too.

Arraez, the Miami Marlins’ hit-collecting second baseman, logged another three hits out of the leadoff spot.

The bottom four players in Miami’s lineup — catcher Nick Fortes, shortstop Joey Wendle, third baseman Jon Berti and center fielder Jonathan Davis — followed Arraez’s lead by combining for seven hits, six runs scored and five RBI.

Together, it paved the way for the Marlins in a 9-6 win over the Kansas City Royals on Monday to begin a three-game series at loanDepot park.

“Our offense always feels like they’re in the game,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “When you’re getting length out of the lineup from top to bottom, you feel really good about every single inning, whether it starts with Arraez at the top or whoever the six- or seven-hole hitter is at the bottom. They’re doing a really good job of battling and not giving up.”

Monday marked Arraez’s eighth game this season with at least three hits. He now has as many games with at least three hits as games in which he has been held without a hit.

His batting average, through 56 games played: .399.

“Yeah, he’s struggling,” Schumaker joked.

And all of Arraez’s hits either punctuated or started rallies after Miami (33-28) fell behind 4-0 early.

His third-inning double capped a two-run frame that started with a Wendle double, Berti single and Davis RBI fielder’s choice to cut Miami’s deficit to 4-2.

His fourth-inning single was the final hit of a four-run outburst — all with two outs — that started with a Fortes single and continued with a Wendle bunt single, Berti two-run triple and Davis RBI double that gave Miami a 6-4 lead.

Arraez then singled with two outs in the sixth before Bryan De La Cruz hit a two-run home run to push Miami’s lead to 9-4.

Fortes also had an RBI single in the fifth that scored Yuli Gurriel.

Miami scored seven of its nine runs with two outs.

“The more guys that are hitting at the bottom of the order and can contribute just really extends our lineup and puts even more pressure on them,” Berti said.

It was more than enough offense to back up Braxton Garrett, who gave up four runs on six hits through five innings. Garrett struck out six and did not issue a walk.

The bullpen held the Royals (18-42) to two runs over the final four innings, with Dylan Floro picking up his seventh save by getting a double play in the ninth.

Injury updates

▪ Jorge Soler was not in the lineup Monday after taking a foul tip off his right thumb during a pinch-hit appearance on Sunday. He was available to pinch-hit if needed.

▪ Left-handed pitcher A.J. Puk could be activated from the injured list and added back to the active roster as early as Tuesday.

▪ Right-handed pitcher Johnny Cueto is scheduled for a live batting practice session Tuesday in Jupiter.

▪ Left-handed pitcher Trevor Rogers’ next rehab assignment start is scheduled for this weekend with Triple A Jacksonville. He is expected to pitch six innings.

▪ Center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. (turf toe) is slated to have a follow-up appointment with a foot specialist on Wednesday.