Jensen one hit shy of cycle as Royals avoid sweep

Carter Jensen came within a single of hitting for the cycle as the Kansas City Royals avoided a three-game sweep by defeating the Miami Marlins 7-3 on Thursday night. Jensen recorded a home run, a triple, and a double while driving in three runs and scoring three times himself. The performance marks his third home run in the last two games.

The game was played in front of a crowd of 10,803, with a game-time temperature of 97 degrees. Michael Wacha (9-8) started for the Royals, allowing three runs in six innings while walking two and striking out seven. Sandy Alcantara (13-9) pitched for the Marlins, allowing four runs and six hits over six innings.

The Marlins took an early lead when Heriberto Hernández hit his first career leadoff home run off Wacha’s first pitch. Miami added another run in the second inning when Jakob Marsee led off with a double and scored on Joe Mack’s single.

The Royals responded in the third inning with two runs. Jensen’s RBI triple drove in Kyle Isbel, and Jensen subsequently scored on a two-out double by Jac Caglianone. The Marlins regained the lead in the fourth inning when Agustín Ramirez hit a 426-foot home run off Wacha.

Jensen and Isbel combined again in the fifth inning to give the Royals a 4-3 lead. Isbel laced a one-out single, and Jensen followed with a 440-foot home run to right field. The Royals added three more runs in the eighth inning to secure the victory.

The win prevents the Royals from being swept for the 11th time this season, a total they share with the Colorado Rockies and the Athletics. The Marlins were attempting to earn their third sweep against an American League team this season.