By MATT PIKE
After a rough start to the season, St. Joseph's Noah Cameron has put on three consecutive solid performances, dominating the Minnesota Twins once again for the seond time in less than a week in a 2-1 victory at Kauffman Stadium.
After throwing eight one hit innings giving up no runs and striking out seven at Target Field last week against the Twins, in what ended as a no decision after a walk off grand slam was given up by Matt Strahm, Cameron threw another eight innings at Kauffman Stadium against Minnesota, giving up two hits and one run this time while striking out nine and walking one, earning his sixth win of the season, improving to 6-8.
The Twins lone run gave them the lead in the game in the fourth inning as Victor Caratini grounded into a double play and brought home Josh Bell, who opened the inning with a walk. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Michael Massey and Isaac Collins hit back-to-back singles to open the inning, Collins would end up out at second though as Nick Loftin grounded into a forceout. John Rave walked to load the bases and Kyle Isbel tied the game with a sacrifice fly RBI, bringing home Massey.
Massey gave the Royals the lead in the seventh inning, leading off the inning with a solo home run. After only striking out two batters through the first five innings, from the sixth inning on, Cameron struck out seven of the nine batters he faced, including striking out the side in the eighth inning, which marked five straight strikeouts for the St. Joseph Central alum. Steven Cruz pitched a clean ninth inning, striking out one, for his third save.
At the plate, the Royals had just five hits compared to the Twins two. Massey was 2-for-3 with the home run and an RBI. Collins, Loftin, and Jac Caglianone had the other three hits, each going 1-for-3 on the day.
Kansas City and Minnesota wrap up their series tonight. Michael Wacha (5-8, 3.51 ERA, 111K's) starts for the Royals against Bailey Ober (7-3, 4.45 ERA, 63K's) for the Twins. First pitch is at 6:40pm, pregame at 6 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
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