Royals suffer crushing loss to playoff hopes. But they may have seen the future
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- Royals rookie Carter Jensen hit two home runs and tallied three hits in loss to Mariners.
- Catcher Salvador Perez received ovation for reaching 300 home runs and 1,000 RBIs.
- Michael Wacha returned from injury but surrendered seven runs in less than three innings.
On a night when Seattle Mariners superstar Cal Raleigh — an American League MVP candidate — surpassed Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle, Kansas City Royals rookie catcher Carter Jensen made history of his own.
Jensen, 22, belted his first career home run at Kauffman Stadium. The Kansas City native took Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert deep in the fourth inning. He grooved a four-seam fastball and hit it over the left-field wall.
Royals fans erupted in applause. Jensen, who was promoted from Triple-A Omaha earlier this month, received celebratory high-fives as he entered the dugout.
“I think it’s one of those things where it’s sweet in the moment, for sure,” Jensen said. “But you know, during that game, I couldn’t let that feeling linger and just coast the rest of the game. I had to just try to do everything I could both offensively and defensively because we were trying to make a comeback.”
Well, a few innings later, Jensen added his second homer of the game. He finished 3-for-4 and accounted for the majority of the Royals’ runs as he continues to seize his opportunity in September.
“We know he can use the whole field,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “I mean, watching him in BP, he does that. He can go all over the place. He hit multiple different pitches as well.”
That was the good news. The bad news was this: The Royals, clinging to slim playoff hopes, were crushed 12-5 by the Mariners on Tuesday.
Starter Michael Wacha lasted only 2 ⅔ innings. He surrendered seven runs on nine hits while failing to escape the third frame. It was his first start back from the seven-day injured list following an off-field accident.
“It was a tough one for me tonight,” Wacha said. “You know, it felt like they were all over everything. They didn’t make a mistake.”
Wacha surrendered solo homers to Raleigh and designated hitter Dominic Canzone. In the first inning, Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez hit a two-run double to give Seattle a quick lead.
Canzone finished the night 5-for-5 with three home runs.
Wacha ran into trouble in the third inning. He allowed three consecutive hits to Raleigh, Rodriguez and Josh Naylor to open the frame. Naylor added an RBI double.
Raleigh hit two homers Tuesday. He now sits alone with the most homers by a switch hitter in MLB history and tied Ken Griffey Jr. on the Mariners’ single-season homers list.
The Royals failed to keep pace. In the second inning, KC stranded two baserunners with no outs. An inning later, the offense couldn’t drive home Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino — who both reached against Gilbert.
“You flush it and you learn from it,” Witt said of the loss. “And then, get ready for tomorrow. Try to prepare the best you can and bring as much energy as you can.”
Gilbert allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings. Seattle won its 10th straight game and improved to 83-68 on the season.
The Royals (75-76) fell below .500 once again. On Wednesday, the club will get All-Star pitcher Cole Ragans back from the injured list. Ragans has been sidelined with a left rotator cuff strain since June 11.
Carter Jensen has bright future in KC
Jensen was the shining light Tuesday night.
He started his second game behind the plate and was one of the lone offensive contributors. This month, the Royals have given him an extended look with the big-league club.
“It was huge to see what he did and just being able to kind of, just for him, know that he’s able to do that against good arms,” Witt said. “And so it hopefully gives him confidence to now know that he can do it and then just believe in himself.”
By all accounts, Jensen has made a quick transition. He is constantly chatting with starters and relievers in the clubhouse. And his pitch framing was lauded by Royals captain Salvador Perez.
“It was a big night for Carter,” Quatraro said. “It’s really nice for him, you know, get the first homer. Actually, two homers and a double. He really showed his power and used the whole ballpark. The first homer going oppo in this ballpark is really impressive.”
Jensen is likely the heir apparent to Perez behind the plate. He will continue to gain valuable experience this season and get a shot to make the Opening Day roster in 2026.
The Royals may choose to embrace a youth movement down the stretch if they are eliminated from playoff contention.
Salvy gets special ovation
Royals fans showed their appreciation for Perez on Tuesday. Prior to his first at-bat, Perez got a standing ovation for reaching 300 career home runs and 1,000 RBIs.
“Just seeing that, he deserves it,” Witt said. “It was great to see that and the kind of cheering that he deserves.”
Perez tipped his helmet and showed gratitude to the crowd. Last Saturday, Perez belted home runs No. 299 and No. 300 against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. He became the eighth primary catcher to hit 300 or more homers.
Six of those catchers are in the Hall of Fame. Perez now has a chance to catch Royals icon George Brett on the franchise all-time home runs list. He sits 16 away from Brett’s record (317 homers).
What’s next: The Royals continue their three-game series against the Mariners on Wednesday night. Cole Ragans (2-3, 5.18 ERA) will oppose right-hander Bryce Miller (4-5, 5.59 ERA). First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. Central.
This story was originally published September 16, 2025 at 9:57 PM with the headline "Royals suffer crushing loss to playoff hopes. But they may have seen the future."
