By MATT PIKE
Noah Cameron put together another strong start in his outstanding rookie campaign, and the Kansas City Royals offense backed the St. Joseph native up hitting three home runs, avoiding being swept by the Philadelphia Phillies with a 10-3 win at Citizens Bank Park.
With one out in the first inning, the Phillies took the lead as Kyle Schwarber hit his 52nd home run of the season, and then after a Bryce Harper pop out, catcher J.T Realmuto took a pitch from Cameron yard to give Philadelphia a 2-0 lead at the end of the first inning.
After the home run from Realmuto, Cameron retired nine of the next 11 batters he faced, before the Royals tied up the game in the fifth inning, a fellow rookie Jac Caglianone blasting a two run home run to right center field, his sixth of the season, driving in Michael Massey to knot the game up at 2-2.
Kansas City took the lead in the sixth inning, Bobby Witt Jr leading the inning off with a triple, and then scoring on a double by Vinnie Pasquantino. Pasquantino advanced to third with a single from Maikel Gracia, and then one day after hitting the 300th home run of his career, Salvador Perez hit home run number 301, and his 28th of the season to extend the Royals lead to 6-2.
In the seventh inning, Perez added two more RBIs to push the Royals ahead even more, a single scoring Carter Jensen and Pasquantino. In the bottom of the eighth inning the Phillies cut into the Royals lead with their final run of the game off reliever John Schreiber, Bryson Stott hitting the third Philadelphia home run of the game.
Witt Jr led off the ninth inning with his 22nd home run of the season. After a double from Pasquantino and single by Garcia, Tyler Tolbert drove in Pasquantino with a sacrifice fly for the final score of the game.
Cameron improved to 8-7 on the season earning the win, giving up two runs on four hits while striking out seven and walking one in seven innings. At the plate, Pasquantino was 3-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI, scoring three runs. Perez was 2-for-5 with the home run and five RBI's.
Kansas City will have an off day on Monday, and will return home to host Seattle on Tuesday. Michael Wacha (9-11, 3.45 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals against Logan Gilbert (4-6, 3.54 ER) for the Mariners. First pitch is at 6:40pm, pregame coverage will begin at 6pm on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.