When english ships were firing on the spanish why did the spanish try to get closer

I'm not certain but their routine attacks were to fire cannons on the enemy ship then board them they couldn't change their attack due to the lack of firepower in their weapons. That being said I'd have to say they were attempting to board them.

Hope this helps.

2018 means 2018 ce or common era

there have been other eras too including bce, which included way more years.