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Marlins edge Royals in 10-inning pitching duel

Aug 14, 2013 - 6:10 AM Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Christian Yelich delivered the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th inning and the Miami Marlins pulled out a victory over the Kansas City Royals, taking a 1-0 decision that was highlighted by a pitching duel between Jose Fernandez and Bruce Chen.

Each starter was lights out for their respective teams, with neither squad able to put a runner in scoring position over the first six innings.

Fernandez gave Miami seven innings of three-hit ball and Chen matched that line for Kansas City, with both hurlers fanning six and giving way to bullpens that kept the shutout intact until the 10th inning.

"I know how tough it is to pitch in the big leagues and I know those guys can hit," said Fernandez. "This team is hot right now and one through nine can put a good swing on the ball."

The Royals put the go-ahead run on base when Kelvin Herrera (4-6) plunked Jake Marisnick to start the final frame. Marisnick then swiped second on a Jeff Mathis strikeout and came home on Yelich's slow roller through the right side to break the scoreless tie.

Chad Qualls (3-1) got the last two outs of the ninth and Steve Cishek pitched the 10th to pick up his 25th save. The Royals, losing for just the fourth time in their last 21 games, had only four hits for the game.

Threats were nonexistent early on, with Chen holding runners at first base despite three walks and Fernandez setting down 13 in a row to keep the respective offenses at bay.

"It's a shame we couldn't get a win for him because he threw really well," said Royals third baseman Jamey Carroll. "I know he's happy about that but we would have liked a better outcome."

The Marlins got the first threat of the game going in the seventh, when Adeiny Hechavarria walked and swiped second with two down. However, Chen averted disaster and struck out Marisnick to end the inning.

Fernandez hadn't put a base runner on since the second inning, but Billy Butler worked a walk to begin the home seventh. Alcides Escobar slapped a two- out single into left, but George Kottaras flied out to end that threat.

Miami had a runner reach second in the eighth and ninth frames, but it wasn't until the 10th when it managed its first hit in five chances with a runner in scoring position.

Yelich finished 3-for-4, totaling half of the Marlins' hits. It was only Miami's second win in its last 10 games.

Game Notes

Kansas City third baseman Mike Moustakas was held out of the lineup. He strained his left calf while running the bases in Monday's victory ... Escobar's extended his hitting streak to 10 games ... Chen faced the Marlins for the first time since 2006.