The Miami Marlins get a couple of homers, but it wasn't enough to sweep the Kansas City Royals.
Left fielder Heriberto Hernandez and designated hitter Agusin Ramirez both homered, but the Miami Marlins were outplayed in a 7-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium; failing to sweep the series.
In six innings, Sandy Alcantara (13-9), who was credited with the loss, allowed six hits and four earned runs, including catcher Carter Jensen’s homer. The rest of the Marlins’ bullpen (Cade Gibson, Tyler Zuber, and Dax Fulton) combined for five hits and three earned runs. A complete opposite of Wednesday’s dominant performance.
Jensen delivered another big performance against the Marlins: three hits in four at-bats, including three runs batted in, and a go-ahead homer.
Michael Wacha (9-8), who was credited with the win, allowed six hits and three earned runs in six innings. The Royals bulllpen (Craig Kimbrel, Nate Pearson, and Steven Cruz) combined for no-hitters.
First Inning
The Marins immediately flipped the scoreboard; Hernandez slugged a Wacha first-pitch 92.4-mile four-seam fastball 389 feet deep into the stands at left-center field. He leads the clubhouse with 23 total home runs this season.
An opportunity presented itself to keep the early momentum going, as shortstop Otto Lopez walked. Second baseman Javier Sanoja singled, but an infield jam led to the 27-year-old All-Star getting thrown out at home.
Second Inning
Center fielder Jakob Marsee immediately started with a double, then catcher Joe Mack singled and drove him home to give the Marlins a 2-0 lead.
Third Inning
The Royals began to rally and shake the game’s trajectory.
Center fielder Kyle Isbel singled, then Jensen drove him in with a triple. Right fielder Jac Caglianone, facing two outs, doubled and drove in the tying run.
Fourth Inning
Agustin Ramirez followed Hernandez’s first at-bat, slugging a Wacha first-pitch 88.5-mile cutter 426 feet deep into the stands at center field. It’s the 24-year-old’s third home run of the season and the Marlins regained the lead.
However, the advantage didn’t last long.
Fifth Inning
Isbel singled, then Jensen slugged Alcantara’s first-pitch 83.9-mile slider 440 feet deep into right-center field. It’s the 23-year-old’s 22nd home run of the season, third of the series, and the Royals regained the lead.
Eighth Inning
The Royals made sure another late “Fighting Fish” rally was prevented.
Jensen doubled, then Caglianone singled to drive in the extra run. Nine-time All-Star, future Hall of Famer, and first baseman Salvador Perez doubled to give the Royals a three-run lead. Tyler Tolbert took over as a pinch runner, stole third base, then designated hitter Vinnie Pasquantino doubled and drove the run home.
Up Next
The Marlins (71-70) revert to a game above .500, but return to LoanDepot Park to start a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs on Friday.
Anthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes, Miami Heat, and Miami Marlins for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: [email protected] & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
