MIAMI—The curve from Joakim Soria lacked its usual bite and stayed a little higher than he wanted, which is why it came to rest beyond the center-field wall.

Jeremy Hermida’s two-run homer cut the Kansas City Royals’ lead over Florida to 7-6. The runs were the first allowed by Soria this season.

“It was coming someday,” the young closer said later Friday night. “Someday someone was going to hit me. It’s OK. It’s no big deal.”

If Soria didn’t sound flustered, he didn’t pitch that way, either. He struck out the next two batters, both on curves, for his 11th save in as many chances.

The performance showed why the Royals want Soria to remain with them for years to come.

“He’s very calm,” Royals pitching coach Bob McClure said. “He doesn’t panic. He’s just an old-time baseball player playing a game. You feel confident that when he comes in, the game is going to be over.”

Soria’s hiccup sent his ERA skyrocketing to 1.04. The Royals weren’t exactly alarmed—on Saturday they gave him an $8.75 million, three-year contract extension, a deal that includes three club options that could raise the value to at least $30.75 million.

Soria has come a long way from the winter league in his native Mexico, where he pitched after the 2006 season. At that point he had yet to climb above Class A.

“I don’t want to think about that,” Soria said with a smile. “That was a long time ago.”

Actually, his emergence as one of the game’s top relievers happened quickly, and before he turned 24 Sunday.

Acquired when the San Diego Padres left him unprotected in the 2006 winter meeting draft, Soria won a job last season in the Royals’ bullpen and pitched so well closer Octavio Dotel became expendable. Soria went 17-for-21 in save chances and had an ERA of 2.48, third among major league rookies.

This year he has been even better. He began the week with 20 strikeouts while allowing only five hits and two walks in 17 1-3 innings. Opponents were batting .088 against the right-hander.

He threw 16 2-3 scoreless innings to start the season, one-third of an inning shy of the Royals record. His 11-for-11 start in saves matches Al Hrabosky’s 1978 team record to begin a season.

The Royals have finished last in the AL Central the past four years, but they began this week within a game of .500 and in the thick of this year’s race thanks in large part to the contribution of their closer.

“No matter how much I say, it’s still going to understate it,” manager Trey Hillman said. “I like the calmness with which he goes about his business. For the comfort level of the club, with our youth, I think it helps to have a guy who takes the mound in that situation be a calm guy, rather than a guy who has a lot of moving parts and ‘Wild Thing’ playing on the speaker system when he comes in.”

At home Soria enters games to “Welcome to the Jungle.” He grew a beard before this season but still looks boyish, especially when he smiles and flashes his braces.

But to hitters he’s plenty intimidating, throwing four pitches with excellent command.

“The guy’s amazing,” teammate Jose Guillen said. “He’s not going to blow you away with a 95-mph fastball, but he’s a smart guy who knows what he’s doing.”

Soria’s hero growing up was Greg Maddux, and like his idol, he gets hitters out by keeping them off balance and staying ahead in the count.

Soria throws a curve, slider, fastball and changeup—a large repertoire for a closer. He was a starter in the Mexican winter league and said he would be happy to join the Royals rotation.

“If the Royals need as a starter, I don’t have any problem with that,” he said. “I have fun being a closer, so maybe I would have fun being a starter, too.”

His new contract was structured to account for such a change.

Soria, who’s making $426,500 this season, will be paid $1 million in 2009, $3 million in 2010 and $4 million in 2011. The club options are $6 million for 2012, $8 million for 2013 and $8.75 million for 2014, with a $750,000 buyout for each. “It’s a big deal for me, for my career and my family,” Soria said.

Starting or closing, the Royals figure he’ll be worth it.