Despite scoring four runs, all with two outs in the ninth, the Marlins lost to the Royals 7-4 at loanDepot park, missing a chance to sweep their third series in the past month

Despite seeing their second-longest win streak of the season come to a halt, the four consecutive wins coming into Sunday — and the 21-11 record since June 13 — breathed life into a Marlins’ organization that feels they have enough to make a run in the second half of the season.

BOTTOM LINE: The Miami Marlins face the Kansas City Royals with a 1-0 series lead. Miami has a 45-51 record overall and a 21-27 record at home. Marlins hitters are batting a collective .254, which ranks fourth in the NL.