Carter Jensen sets Royals' leadoff home run record in loss to Marlins

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on Sep 2, 2026

Published in Baseball

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals will enter the offseason with a lot of questions surrounding their active roster.

However, it’s clear that rookie catcher Carter Jensen will not be of much concern. The standout KCMO product continues to shine for his hometown team.

And on Wednesday — in a 9-6 loss to the Marlins — Jensen set a single-season franchise record.

In the first inning, Jensen recorded his sixth leadoff home run — a club record — off Miami Marlins starter Eury Perez. The blast traveled 414 feet into the Royals’ bullpen. It was Jensen’s 20th home run of the calendar year.

The Royals (62-78) wound up scoring five runs in the first frame. Jac Caglianone added an RBI double and Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer. It was his 321st career home run with the organization.

Still, Jensen stole the headlines Wednesday night. He finished 2 for 4 and later recorded his 21st home run in the fourth inning. Both blasts came off Perez as he recorded his second career multi-homer game.

This season, Jensen is handling a huge responsibility. He is the primary catcher as Salvador Perez continues to nurse a sore elbow. And in his 83 starts behind the plate, Jensen owns a .252 batting average (77 for 305) and 38 extra-base hits.

“Really impressive,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said pregame. “Especially for a rookie, doing what he is doing at the top of the order. And he should be proud of what he’s done, the work he’s put in and the success he’s had.”

Jensen moved into the leadoff spot in late May. It was an unfamiliar role after he made two starts in the position last season.

However, Jensen relished the opportunity to hit in front of Bobby Witt Jr. He owns a .276 batting average to lead off the game.

Jensen led the way against the Marlins. The Royals competed but ultimately fell, 9-6, to drop the home series.

Miami scored three runs in the sixth inning to regain the lead. Heriberto Hernandez hit a decisive RBI double — his second of the game — off Royals left-handed reliever Connor Thomas.

Marlins standout Kyle Stowers also hit his 18th home run in the third inning. And Griffin Conine and Jared Serna added RBIs of their own.

The Royals trailed by a run in the eighth inning. Yet the Marlins shut down the KC offense down the stretch while getting a pair of insurance runs — by way of solo homers from Javier Sanoja and Jakob Marsee in the ninth.

KC starter Noah Cameron earned a no-decision. He allowed four earned runs and recorded seven strikeouts across five innings.

Miami improved to 71-69. The club will look for a road sweep on Thursday at Kauffman Stadium.

What’s next?

Royals right-hander Michael Wacha (8-8, 3.32 ERA) will start Thursday night against Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara (13-8, 3.46 ERA). First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. Central.