The Kansas City Royals just took the final game of their series against the Miami Marlins with a 7-3 victory, pushing their record to 63-78 and, yes, finally putting to bed the nightmare scenario of a 100-loss season. Talk about a relief! This wasn’t a pretty win initially, but clutch hits from Carter Jensen and Jac Caglianone, plus Michael Wacha fighting through it on the mound, sealed the deal.
Jensen and Cags Ignite a Comeback
Miami came out swinging, hitting an extra-base hit in the first plate appearance of the first four innings, which is a franchise record. Heriberto Hernandez blasted a leadoff homer in the first, and Jakob Marsee doubled in the second, later scoring on Joe Mack’s single to put the Marlins up 2-0. It looked like the Royals were in for a long one. But then Kansas City answered back in the third. After an eight-pitch battle by Isaac Collins, Kyle Isbel singled, and Carter Jensen absolutely smoked a line drive that brought Isbel home and got Jensen to third. Two batters later, Caglianone ripped a double, driving in Jensen and tying the game. Agustin Ramirez then launched his third homer of the year in the fourth to put the Marlins back on top 3-2, but that was pretty much it for their offense. Wacha buckled down, retiring the next three, and Miami barely threatened again.
Jensen’s Hot Streak Keeps Rolling
Jensen wasn’t done. This dude, after homering *twice* yesterday and tripling earlier in this game, absolutely crushed another one in the fifth, his 22nd of the season, putting the Royals up 4-3 with Isbel once again on first. That’s insane production! The score held until the eighth when Jensen led off with a double, moved to third on a Bobby Witt Jr. groundout, and then scored on a liner over the pitcher’s glove from Caglianone. Salvador Perez then got in on the action with a double to left, scoring Cags. Tyler Tolbert pinch-ran for Perez, stole third, and then cruised home on a Vinnie Pasquantino double to right, suddenly blowing the game open to 7-3. Wacha, for his part, grinded out a quality start, going six innings, giving up six hits, two walks, and three earned runs while striking out seven. He didn’t look perfect, but he minimized the damage. Craig Kimbrel got sick on the mound, but Nate Pearson stepped in with 1-and-1/3 scoreless innings before Steven Cruz wrapped it up. The bullpen was lights out, giving up just one baserunner in three innings.
Kansas City’s offense ended with seven runs on 11 hits, with six of those being for extra bases. Jensen finished the game just a single shy of the cycle, which is a wild stat line for a single player. Up next, the Toronto Blue Jays are coming to town. The Royals just faced them in Toronto and took two of three in that series. They need to keep that momentum going and finish this season strong.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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