By MATT PIKE
In a tough test against the power hitting lineup of the New York Yankees, St. Joseph's Noah Cameron saw his first rough start at the major league level as the Kansas City Royals fell 10-2 in their series opener at Kauffman Stadium Tuesday evening.
Cameron started the game getting Paul Goldschmidt to ground out, but after walking Trent Grisham suffered at the hands of Aaron Judge, who slugged a two run home run 469 feet to left field, landing on top of the Royals Hall of Fame that gave the Yankees a quick lead. The Royals did cut the lead in half in the second inning, Jac Caglianone grounding out and driving in Vinnie Pasquantino, but afterwards the Royals would not score again until the sixth inning.
Cameron gave up another home run in the fourth inning for the Yankees to extend the lead, a three run home run to Austin Wells that scored Jasson Domínguez and DJ LeMahieu. Cameron left the mound with two outs in the sixth, for his shortest outing since being called, leaving Jazz Chisolm Jr. on second base after he doubled earlier in the inning. Cameron was replaced by Taylor Clarke.
Cameron would wind up charged with one more run, as Clarke allowed Chisolm to score, giving up a double to Wells, who also drove in LeMahieu who was walked by Clarke. Back to back singled by Goldschmidt and Grisham brought home Wells and another single by Judge scored Goldschmidt. Cody Bellinger hit the fourth consecutive single off Clarke to drive in Grisham to cap off the five run inning for New York.
In the bottom half of the sixth inning was when the Royals scored their final run, and the final run of the game, when Jonathan India hit a solo home run to center field to lead off the inning.
Cameron fell to 2-2 on the season, pitching 5 2/3 innings and giving up six runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out six. At the plate, Salvador Perez led the way going 2-for-4. India was 1-for-4 with the home run and a walk.
Kansas City and New York continue their series tomorrow. Kris Bubic (5-3, 1.43 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals against Clarke Schmidt (2-3, 4.04 ERA) for the Yankees. First pitch is at 6:40pm, pregame coverage will begin at 6 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.