By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph's Noah Cameron recorded some career bests as he earned his third career win on Monday night at Kauffman Stadium, the Royals helping out the Central alum by hitting four home runs to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-3 for their first win at "The K" since the Royals defeated the Dodgers 9-5 June 28th.
The Royals started the scoring for Cameron in the first inning, with the first home run of the night, a solo home run by Vinnie Pasquantino to right field for the Kansas City first baseman's 15th of the season, giving the Royals a 1-0 lead which they held until the third inning as Cameron cruised striking out three batters in two innings, and only surrendering a walk to Nick Gonzales.
In the third inning, one problem that Cameron has had at the major league level continued, as he gave up a two run home run to former Royal Tommy Pham, scoring Henry Davis who singled to open the inning, giving the Pirates a lead. A lead they did not hold for long though, as in the bottom half of the inning the Royals struck for three runs, first tying up the game with an RBI single by Maikel Garcia driving in Jonathan India.
Salvador Perez doubled giving Kansas City the lead, scoring Bobby Witt Jr, before Garcia came home on a force out at second base on a grounder by Mark Canha.The Royals extended their lead in the fourth inning with a two run home run by Witt Jr, his 13th of the season, driving in India. The scoring continued in the fifth inning when Perez led off the inning with a solo home run, his 11th, to push the Royals lead to 7-2.
A sacrifice fly from Witt Jr in the sixth inning scored Kyle Isbel, before the Royals got their final run, and the fourth home run of the game in the eighth inning as Nick Loftin hit his second home run of the season to left center field. Alexander Canario singled home Gonzales in the ninth inning for the final run of the game for the Pirates off reliever Jonathan Bowlan.
Cameron earned the win, moving to 3-4 on the season, pitching a career best seven innings and giving up two runs on three hits while striking out seven and walking one, throwing a career high 109 pitches. At the plate, Witt Jr was 2-for-3 with the home run and three RBI's. Perez was 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and two RBIs, while Garcia was 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI.
Kansas City and Pittsburgh continue their series tomorrow. Seth Lugo (6-5, 2.65 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals against Mitch Keller (3-10, 3.64 ERA) for the Pirates. First pitch is at 6:40pm, pregame coverage will begin at 6 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
This article has been edited since first published.
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