KANSAS CITY – The Reds found out Wednesday night what three other Major League teams had learned in recent days: Royals rookie left-hander Noah Cameron has been a tough riddle to solve.
Cameron, making his fourth Major League start, held a Cincinnati offense that had been humming to just one run over six innings as the Reds fell to Kansas City, 3-2, at Kauffman Stadium. Thus, Cincinnati had to settle for a good series rather than a great one.
After scoring seven runs in each of the first two games of the series – both wins – the Reds were mostly reduced to soft contact against the crafty Cameron.
“Pretty polished,” Red manager Terry Francona said of Cameron. “He pitched kind of like a veteran left-hander. Early on, the first time through, I thought he really established his off-speed. Then the second time through, he really established his fastball more.”
Reds right-hander Hunter Greene, making his second start since coming back from a groin injury, couldn’t quite keep pace with Cameron. On an unusual play, the Royals broke on top in the fourth with Maikel Garcia scoring from first on a Drew Waters single that rolled slowly into right-center field.
With Garcia running on the pitch, Waters smacked a grounder that diving second baseman Matt McLain couldn’t quite reach. McLain slowed the ball just enough for Garcia to size up the play and continue on to the plate.
“Their runner, and their third-base coach [Vance Wilson], did a very good job,” Francona said.
The only other run surrendered by Greene came in the fifth, when Bobby Witt Jr. went the other way for an RBI double down the right-field line.
Greene threw 88 pitches (56 strikes) in five innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk.
“They made him work,” Francona said. “I didn’t think he had his best command, and I think it’s a little bit expected on his second start back. Now, he’ll get an extra day this time, and I think starting with his next outing, we can kind of take the gloves off. Let him be who he is and not worry about the pitch count so much.”
Greene was struck on the right calf by a Garcia comebacker in the fourth. But Greene pitched through it and doesn’t expect lasting repercussions.
“It was one of those days where I had to grind a little bit more today,” Greene said. “If you can be successful on days like today, I take a lot of pride in that. More so than the days that you feel perfect.
“I definitely battled and tried to keep the team in it. I’m still somewhat trying to get my bearings. Today, the start was better than the last one. But still a lot to work on, and I will get back to what I usually do.”
The Reds put some pressure on the Royals late but never could get over the hump. There were some frustrations in the ninth inning when home-plate umpire Carlos Torres first ejected starting pitcher Nick Martinez from the dugout, and then ejected Francona in the aftermath.
Reds designated hitter Austin Hays left the game with a left foot contusion after fouling a ball off his foot, and Cincinnati will find out more about Hays’ status on Thursday.
“We got him X-rayed, and it’s inconclusive,” Francona said. “So we’re going to get him scanned [Thursday morning]. You could tell he was hurting.”
The Reds can only hope they won’t have to be without Hays as they prepare to open a three-game weekend series against the Cubs. Heading into Wrigley Field, they want to have as much firepower as they can get.