Despite falling behind early, the Royals fought back thanks to the arm of Michael Wacha and timely hits by Carter Jensen and Jac Caglianone to win the third and final game of their series against the Miami Marlins, 7-3. The win improves the Royals record to 63-78.
Which means, of course, that the Royals will avoid a 100-loss season, something that a) I didn't think we'd have to worry about at the start of the season, and b) I very much worried about at the end of July.
The Marlins started hot, setting a franchise record with an extra-base hit in the first plate appearance in each of the first four innings. Heriberto Hernandez led off the game with a home run to left center. Miami could've added more in the inning, but Otto Lopez ended up out at home to end the inning. The Marlins extended their lead in the second when Jakob Marsee, who began the inning with a double, scored on Joe Mack's single, making it 2-0 after 1-and-1/2 innings.
In the bottom of the third, the Royals struck back. After Isaac Collins popped up after an eight-pitch battle, Kyle Isbel singled before Carter Jensen smoked a line drive by the second baseman. The ball reached the wall as Isbel scored and Jensen cruised to third. Two batters later, Caglianone ripped a double to right, driving in Jensen and knotting the score.
But it didn't stay tied long. Leading off the top of the fourth, Agustin Ramirez launched one over the wall to dead center for his third home run of the year. Wacha retired the next three in order, and the Marlins offense never threatened again.
The Royals grabbed the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth when Jensen continued his hot streak. After homering twice yesterday and tripling earlier in the game, Jensen, with Isbel once more on first, homered again, his 22nd of the season, putting the Royals up 4-3.
So remained the score until the bottom of the eighth when Jensen led off the inning with a double before moving to third on a groundout by Bobby Witt Jr. Cags drove him in again, this time with a liner right over the pitcher's glove. Salvador Perez then joined the fun with a double to left, scoring Cags. Tyler Tolbert pinch-ran for Perez, stole third, then easily scored on Vinnie Pasquantino's double to right.
Suddenly, the Royals were up 7-3.
Wacha obtained the win, improving to 9-8, as he tossed yet another quality start. He threw six innings, gave up six hits and two walks, allowed three earned runs (two of which came on homers) while striking out seven. He didn't look great, but he fought through it, minimizing the damage.
Craig Kimbrel followed before becoming sick on the mound. Nate Pearson replaced him with 1-and-1/3 scoreless innings before Steven Cruz wrapped up things in a non-save situation. All told, the bullpen pitched three innings and only allowed one baserunner.
Kansas City offensive numbers: seven runs on 11 hits, six of which were for extra bases, one walk, and five strikeouts. Jensen finished a single shy of the cycle.
Up next, the Toronto Blue Jays come to town. The Royals just faced the Blue Jays in Toronto, taking two of three. With a win tonight, Toronto improved to 70-71. They are tied for the third and final Wild Card with the Rangers.
Time for the Royals to spoil that.
