Royals offense comes up big for Noah Cameron in 12-4 win over Chicago

By MATT PIKE

The Kansas City Royals offense exploded to back another strong start by Noah Cameron, beating the Chicago Cubs 12-4 to open their series at historic Wrigley Field on Monday afternoon. 

The Royals opened the scoring in the second inning behind Jac Caglianone’s fifth home run of the season.  But in the bottom half of the inning fell behind as Cameron gave up four runs, the first being a tying solo home run to Carson Kelly leading off the inning.  After Dansby Swanson singled, and Justin Turner doubled, the Cubs went deep again off Cameron to take the lead as Matt Shaw hit a three run home run, what would end up being the final Cubs runs of the game. 

In the fourth inning, the Royals cut the lead to one, thanks to the long ball again.  With two outs, Maikel Garcia singled, before Salvador Perez sent the ball flying to left center field for his 16th home run of the year.  

In the fifth Kansas City continued the scoring rally to back Cameron, tying up the game with Jonathan India’s RBI double driving in John Rave after he reached first on a forceout.  With Kyle Isbel on third, the Royals took the lead in the very next at bat as Bobby Witt Jr singled, then extending the lead as Witt Jr stole second, and on a throwing error India came home to score, with Witt Jr moving to third and then scoring himself on a wild pitch. 

In the seventh inning, Rave led the inning off hitting a home run in the ballpark that he grew up going to games in, his third home run of the season, to extend the lead.  Then, in the eighth inning, after Garcia led the inning off with a double, Perez went deep for the second time in the game to push the lead even more.  Following a walk by Caglianone, and a single by Nick Loftin, it was Rave driving in another run with an RBI single, scoring Caglianone, Rave eventually scoring the final run himself on a forceout by Witt Jr. 

Cameron earned the win, moving to .500 on the season at 4-4, pitching six innings and giving up four runs on seven hits while striking out seven.  At the plate, Perez was 2-for-5 with two home runs and four RBIs.  Rave was 2-for-4 with the home run and two RBIs, while Isbel was 3-for-4 with a run. 

Kansas City and Chicago continue their series tomorrow.  Rich Hill will make his season debut for the Royals against Matthew Boyd (10-3, 2.34 ERA) for the Cubs.  First pitch is at 7:05pm, pregame coverage will begin at 6:30 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM). 

Hill is currently on Kansas City’s taxi squad.  Hill signed a Minor League deal with the Royals back in May and has been building up over the last few months. The southpaw has a 5.22 ERA and 61 strikeouts across his 11 starts, nine of which have come with Triple-A Omaha.

Despite the lopsided ERA, the Royals have been impressed with Hill’s command in the Minors this season. He has allowed two runs or fewer in six of 11 outings and recently became the first 45-year-old to record double-digit K’s in a professional contest since Nolan Ryan did so in 1992. Hill did it in a start with Triple-A Omaha on July 13.

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.