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Tomko, Olivo lead Royals to fifth straight win

May 17, 2008 - 3:31 AM By Chris Stock PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MIAMI (Ticker) -- The Kansas City Royals overcame a rare poor performance from closer Joakim Soria.

Jose Guillen and Miguel Olivo each drove in two runs and Soria escaped a jam in the ninth as the Royals won their fifth straight game, defeating the Florida Marlins, 7-6, in interleague play on Friday.

Brett Tomko (2-4) allowed two runs and five hits in six innings. The righthander struck out four and walked one while throwing 51 of his 78 pitches for strikes.

His win was in jeopardy, however, as the Marlins pulled within one run in the bottom of the ninth inning when Jeremy Hermida hit a two-run homer off Soria. The blast snapped Soria's scoreless innings streak at an American League-best 16 2/3 innings.

"It's becoming a shock, he's been automatic every time out," Tomko said. "It wasn't going to last forever. It was one pitch, the guy got him, but he still got the job done."

Hermida's fifth home run of the season came after Cody Ross walked. But Soria bounced back by striking out Hanley Ramirez and Jorge Cantu to notch his 11th save in as many chances.

Guillen had three hits, including a two-run double off Andrew Miller (3-3) in the first inning for an early 2-0 advantage.

"It's always good when you're producing and contributing to the team," Guillen said.

Dan Uggla hit a solo shot - his 13th of the season - off Tomko to left field in the second to halve the deficit. The 431-foot blast was his 10th home run in his last 16 games.

The Royals scored two unearned runs in the fourth inning. Guillen led off with a double and later scored on a throwing error by shortstop Ramirez.

"I was trying to go to second, but I changed my motion (to go to first) and it was a bad throw," Ramirez said.

Joey Gathright followed by drawing a bases-loaded walk for a 4-1 advantage.

Olivo hit his fifth home run in the eighth inning after Billy Butler had doubled with one out for a 6-2 bulge. The Marlins responded as Wes Helms delivered a two-out, two-run double off Jimmy Gobble in the bottom half to get within two.

"Jimmy left a ball up to Helms and made it interesting," Royals manager Trey Hillman said.

Alex Gordon delivered an important RBI single in the ninth for the Royals.

Miller lasted five innings, allowing four runs - two earned - five hits and three walks with six strikeouts.

Uggla had three hits and scored three times for the Marlins, who have lost a season-high four straight games.

"We definitely gave it away," Helms said. "It wasn't one person, it was all of us. We just didn't seem like we were into it."