KANSAS CITY -- As if this wasn’t already a storybook start to Noah Cameron’s big league career – pitching for his childhood team just an hour south of where he grew up – his performance for the Royals so far has elevated it even more so.
Cameron -- the 25-year-old lefty from St. Joseph, Mo., and the Royals’ No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline -- spun another 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball on Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium, leading the Royals to a 3-2 win over the Reds and salvaging a disappointing series loss by avoiding the sweep.
In four starts, Cameron has posted a 1.05 ERA. He hasn’t allowed more than one run in any of his four starts. He has gone at least 6 1/3 innings in each of them, too.
That makes Cameron just the second pitcher since 1893 with 6 1/3-plus innings and one run or less in his first four MLB appearances, all starts, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The first was Cody Anderson for Cleveland in 2015.
And Cameron is the second in Royals history to begin his career with at least four straight quality starts, joining Steve Busby, who began his career with five.
“Can’t make it up,” Cameron said, a grin splashed on his face. “It’s obviously been fun getting wins and putting the team in a good spot and being able to save the bullpen. The vibes up here are obviously amazing. Just happy to be here.”
And the Royals are happy to have him. He has done wonders for a rotation that still ranks third in MLB with a 3.02 ERA despite having two of its best starters on the injured list the past two weeks in Seth Lugo (third right finger sprain) and Cole Ragans (left groin strain).
Lugo is set to return Friday against the Tigers, but Cameron should get at least one more start early next week against the Cardinals with Ragans still on the IL and likely making one rehab start this weekend.
After that, the Royals have a decision to make. Cameron isn’t making it easy, pitching the way he has -- no doubt a good problem for the team to have.
“He’s using all his pitches, he’s pitching in and out, changing speeds, confidently throwing strikes,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “A lot of soft contact. It’s a tremendous run. When he goes out there, it feels like he’s in command of what he’s doing.”
On Wednesday, Cameron worked around six hits and two walks, and he struck out only two batters with just eight whiffs on 44 swings (18%). He was relying heavily on weak contact and his defense behind him; the Reds averaged an 87.1 mph exit velocity.
“I think they were maybe a little bit more patient and sitting on offspeed stuff,” Cameron said. “But that turned into weak contact. So I’m all right with it. As long as I keep putting up zeros.”
The only run Cameron allowed came in the sixth inning, when a two-out walk came around to score on Spencer Steer’s single. With a beat-up bullpen after Tuesday’s 7-2 loss, Quatraro sent Cameron back out for the seventh inning, and he recorded one out before walking Garrett Hampson.
Angel Zerpa allowed one single but got out of the jam with a double play, keeping the Royals’ slim lead intact.
“Trusted my runner with him all day,” Cameron said.
The Royals’ offense gave Cameron just enough run support for his first win at The K. Maikel Garcia scored from first on Drew Waters’ single to left field in the fourth – an aggressive baserunning play, but one Kansas City “needed,” Garcia said, with the offense scuffling.
John Rave knocked his first big league hit with a hustle double in the fifth, setting up Bobby Witt Jr.’s RBI double, and Witt came through again in the seventh with a sacrifice fly.
The Royals’ hitters are just as in awe of Cameron as anyone else – and probably just as thankful.
“He does a lot of that,” said Rave, who played with Cameron at Triple-A Omaha. “Nothing new to me. He’s going to be a stud.”
After the game, with the Royals celebrating a much-needed win, Cameron took photos with his family on the field before speaking with reporters. There is no shortage of family and friends in the stands when Cameron pitches, especially in Kansas City.
“I told the security guards that this is probably how it’s going to be every time I pitch here,” Cameron said, laughing.
The Royals will be happy to see those results every time, too.