Kansas City Royals starting pitchers are dropping like flies, and they needed a big outing from Rookie of the Year candidate Noah Cameron. The St. Joseph native delivered, twirling seven innings and striking out eight Guardians along the way while only giving up a pair of runs. But, once again, Royals batters did not show up and the team lost 2-0.
The Royals did make it interesting in the ninth inning. Guardians starter Joey Cantillo came out to start the ninth inning in pursuit of a complete game shutout, but Kyle Isbel singled and knocked him out of the game. Though Maikel Garcia flied out, Bobby Witt Jr.—returning for the first time since Friday—hit a single to put runners at the corners with one out, bringing sluggers Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvdor Perez to represent the go-ahead run.
Neither even put the ball in play, as Guardians closer Cade Smith struck both of them out.
Prior to the ninth inning, the Royals mustered three base runners. Jonathan India had a pair. Vinnie had one. But all five Royals hits were singles, and they didn’t walk at all.
In tonight’s loss, the Royals drop to 73-72 and are in danger of falling back to .500 on the year with another loss. While they are mathematically still in the running for a playoff spot, Kansas City is essentially out of the playoff race at this point.
There just isn’t much left to say here. The Royals do need to re-think some things. They cannot rely on Salvy, who has a hideous .278 OBP this year, to hit cleanup next year. They cannot run back so many low-ceiling hitters.
But that’s an issue for another day. Have a good evening, all.