Stowers, Hernández Lead Marlins 9-6 Comeback Win Over Royals

Stowers, Hernández Lead Miami Comeback

Kyle Stowers homered and drove in two runs, Heriberto Hernández also drove in two runs, and the Miami Marlins overcame an early three run deficit to beat the Kansas City Royals 9-6 on Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium.

The victory moved Miami to 71-69 and gave the Marlins another important win during their push down the stretch. The Marlins trailed 5-2 after the first inning and were still behind 6-3 before their offense steadily chipped away at Kansas City’s lead.

Stowers helped Miami take an early lead when his RBI single in the first inning brought home Otto Lopez, who had tripled. But Kansas City immediately answered with a five run bottom half of the inning, turning a promising start for the Marlins into an early deficit.

Royals Strike Early Behind Jensen and Pérez

Carter Jensen opened the bottom of the first with a home run, setting a Royals franchise record for leadoff homers in a season. Jac Caglianone followed with an RBI double before Salvador Pérez connected for his 18th home run, a two-run shot that put Kansas City ahead. Michael Massey added an RBI double as the Royals batted around in the inning. Jensen struck again in the fourth inning with his 21st home run, a solo shot that restored Kansas City’s three run advantage at 6-3.

Noah Cameron appeared to settle in after the first inning. The Royals starter retired 15 of the next 19 batters he faced and finished five innings, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven.

Miami Begins Its Comeback

The Marlins began their comeback in the third inning when Stowers launched a solo home run, his 18th of the season. Miami then took advantage of a series of opportunities in the middle innings. Hernández doubled in the fifth and again in the sixth, with his second double coming off the center-field wall as the Marlins completed a three run sixth inning that gave them a 7-6 lead.

Jared Serna, making his first major league start and batting eighth, recorded his first career hit and delivered a tying sacrifice fly in the sixth inning. Griffin Conine also provided a major contribution off the bench, delivering a tying pinch-hit single in the sixth and later making a run-saving catch against the right-field wall.

Conine’s performance came with his father, former Marlin and Royal Jeff Conine, in attendance. Griffin Conine finished with two hits and an RBI, while Javier Sanoja added three hits and two runs, including a home run in the ninth.

Bullpen Shuts Down Kansas City

Miami’s comeback became possible because its bullpen shut down the Royals after Eury Pérez’s difficult outing. Pérez allowed six runs on nine hits and three walks before departing, but five Marlins relievers combined to hold Kansas City scoreless over the final 4 1/3 innings.

Cade Gibson earned the victory after striking out the only batter he faced to end a fifth-inning threat, improving to 3-1. Calvin Faucher then recorded the final outs for his third save. Jose Cuas absorbed the loss for Kansas City. He faced four batters and allowed three of them to reach base, with all three runners eventually scoring.

Marlins Add Insurance in the Ninth

Miami added two insurance runs in the ninth when Sanoja and Jakob Marsee hit back-to-back home runs, turning a one run game into a 9-6 Marlins victory. The late offensive burst capped a comeback in which Miami scored seven of the final eight runs after Kansas City had taken control with its five-run first inning.

Hernández, Lopez Extend Streaks

Hernández continued one of the most productive stretches of his season, extending his on-base streak to 19 games. That is the longest on base streak by a Marlins player this season and the second-longest active streak in the majors. Lopez also extended his hitting streak to nine games and his on-base streak to 16 games with his first-inning triple and run scored.

For Miami, the comeback added another win to a season that has kept the Marlins in contention late into the schedule. For Kansas City, the loss dropped the Royals to 62-78 and marked their third consecutive defeat following a 12-1 run.