John Rave's first two career home runs not enough as Royals fall to Marlins in 10 innings, 8-7

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on Jul 18, 2025

Published in Baseball

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John Rave had a new jersey hanging in his locker on Friday afternoon.

The Kansas City Royals rookie had switched numbers during the All-Star break and would be wearing No. 16 moving forward.

The reason?

Well, the Royals reunited with MLB veteran Adam Frazier on Wednesday.

Frazier, who spent the first half of the 2025 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, returned in a trade for infield prospect Cam Devanney. The Royals value Frazier’s leadership and ability to hit right-handed pitching.

Rave switched his jersey number to accommodate his newest teammate.

And Rave didn’t take long to get accustomed to the new uniform. On Friday, Rave hit two home runs against the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park in Miami.

However, it wasn’t enough as the Marlins pulled out a 8-7 victory in extra innings.

Rave hadn’t homered in 69 career at-bats. In the fourth inning, Rave hit his first career homer off former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara. Rave belted the baseball 422 feet as the Royals cut into a five-run deficit.

Later, Rave hit the game-tying home run in the ninth inning. He finished 2 for 4 with four RBIs.

The Royals got off to a slow start. Alcantara received early run support as the Marlins battered Royals starter Seth Lugo. Miami scored three runs — on a homer each from Jesus Sanchez and Kyle Stowers — in the first inning.

Stowers, who made his first All-Star appearance this week, finished with two homers and five RBIs in the game.

Lugo allowed five runs for the first time this season. He struggled with command and the Marlins knocked him around with eight hits across six innings.

Lugo finished with a no decision.

The Royals (47-51) battled, though, and sent the game to extra innings. But the Marlins (45-51) came away with a walk-off victory at home on Stowers’ second long ball.

Frazier shines in return

Frazier made his presence known in his first game back with the Royals. In the 10th inning, he laced a two-run double down the right-field line as the Royals took a 7-5 lead.

In the process, he also picked up teammates Vinnie Pasquantino and Maikel Garcia. Each failed to drive in two runners in scoring position with their chance in the 10th.

But Frazier stepped up in a big way. He entered play hitting .267 against right-handed pitchers and delivered against Marlins reliever Lake Bachar.

Bachar challenged Frazier with a sweeper on the inside part of the plate. Frazier reached down and sent the ball into right field. Both Jonathan India (designated runner) and Bobby Witt Jr. came home to score.

What’s next?

The Royals continue their weekend series at the Marlins. On Saturday, KC right-handed starter Michael Wacha (4-9, 3.74 ERA) will start opposite MLB veteran Cal Quantrill (3-8, 5.62 ERA) at 3:10 p.m.