Davis returns, leads Royals past Marlins

The Marlins' Adeiny Hechavarria is tagged out by Royals second baseman Chris Getz after attempting to stretch a hit into a double during the third inning of Monday's game at Kauffman Stadium.
The Marlins' Adeiny Hechavarria is tagged out by Royals second baseman Chris Getz after attempting to stretch a hit into a double during the third inning of Monday's game at Kauffman Stadium.

KANSAS CITY (AP) - Wade Davis came off the family emergency leave list and pitched six solid innings, Billy Butler homered and the Kansas City Royals beat the Miami Marlins 6-2 on Monday night.

The Royals won for the 17th time in 20 games, while the Marlins are 1-8 in their past nine.

Davis had not pitched since Aug. 2, returning to Florida to be with his family after the death of his stepbrother Aug. 3.

Davis (6-9) allowed two runs and six hits while striking out three and walking two.

Marlins starter Tom Koehler (3-8) held the Royals hitless until two out in the fourth, when they pieced together four straight hits. Justin Maxwell's triple scored Mike Moustakas, who had an infield single for the first hit. Chris Getz's single up the middle brought home Maxwell.

Getz, Alcides Escobar and Jarrod Dyson, the bottom third of the Royals' order, combined for six hits, a walk, three runs, three stolen bases and three RBI. Getz went 3-for-4 in his first game off the disabled list.

Escobar, Dyson and David Lough stroked run-producing hits in a three-run sixth as the Royals snapped a tie at 2.

In the top of the inning, Logan Morrison and Greg Dobbs punched RBI doubles off Davis.

Butler homered to lead off the seventh against Ryan Webb to extend his hitting streak to six games. He is hitting .438 with six extra-base hits on the homestand.

The Marlins loaded the bases in the fourth and seventh innings, but failed to score. Adeiny Hechavarria grounded out to end the fourth, while Ed Lucas flied out to left to end the seventh.

Moustakas left in the fifth with a strained left calf and will be examined further today. Newly acquired Jamey Carroll hit for him and remained in to play third.

Notes: LF Alex Gordon was not in the Royals' lineup. His wife, Jamie, gave birth to a son, Sam Patrick. Gordon is not going on the paternity leave list and will likely play today. ... Morrison, who was born in Kansas City and went to nearby Maple Woods Junior College, played his first game at Kauffman Stadium. He said he left about 60 tickets for family and friends. ... The Royals made four more roster moves Monday, bringing their total to 14 since Saturday. Getz was activated from the disabled list and Carroll, who was acquired in a Sunday trade with Minnesota, arrived and put on the roster. The Royals optioned INF Irving Falu and LHP Will Smith to Triple-A Omaha.

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