By MATT PIKE
Behind yet another strong performance from St. Joseph’s Noah Cameron and a walk off hit by Nick Loftin, the Kansas City Royals avoided being swept by the New York Mets winning 3-2 as both teams head into the All Star break.
The Royals put up two runs in the second inning to back Cameron’s strong performance after he shut down the Mets through two innings. Maikel Garcia doubled to lead off the inning and Salvador Perez was hit by a pitch before both runners advanced on a groundout by Jac Caglianone. With one out, John Rave laced a double down the right field line to drive in both Garcia and Perez to give Kansas City the lead.
John plates a pair! pic.twitter.com/5Ob3GyEVrS
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) July 13, 2025
Cameron stayed in command keeping the Mets off the scoreboard until he was pulled from the mound with two outs in the seventh inning after giving up a single to Luisangel Acuña, and was replaced by John Schreiber who forced Francisco Lindor to groundout. Lucas Erceg continued to mow down New York in the eighth, before the Royals brought on All Star closer Carlos Estévez in the ninth.
Which unfortunately for Cameron, was when the wheels fell off earning the Central alum a no decision, as Estévez gave up a double to Ronny Mauricio and then surrendered a triple to pinch hitter Jeff McNeil. After Brett Baty grounded out, McNeil scored the tying run on a sacrifice fly by Jared Young. Estévez got out of the inning though and set up the Royals for their second walk off victory of the homestand.
Perez struck out to open the inning, but Tyler Tolbert who had replaced Caglianone defensively singled, and then stole second base, before Loftin hit a single into left field to drive the speedy outfielder in for his second walk off hit of the homestand.
For the second time this homestand!#HEYHEYHEYHEY pic.twitter.com/NSIPcED4Nk
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) July 13, 2025
Estévez earned the win, despite the blown save, giving up two hits and two runs in one inning. Cameron pitched 6 2/3 innings giving up seven hits and walking two, matching his career high in strikeouts with eight. It was Cameron’s seventh quality start in 12 MLB starts, only one Royal in history had more qualty through 12 G, and that was José Rosado with eight in 1996.
At the plate, Jonathan India was 2-for-4. Rave was 1-for-2 with a double and the two RBIs, while Loftin was 1-for-2 with an RBI.
With the All Star Break, the Royals are now off until Friday when they travel to take on the Miami Marlins.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.
