How 3 defensive plays nearly helped Royals prospect do the impossible in MLB debut
All the elements were there.
If Kansas City Royals left-handed starter Noah Cameron was to make MLB history, he needed a helping hand.
Cameron nearly no-hit the Tampa Bay Rays in his first career start at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The St. Joseph, Missouri native didn’t allow a hit until the 7th inning when Curtis Mead broke it up with a one-out single down the third-base line.
It was the lone hit Cameron surrendered.
“You can’t put it into words,” Cameron said of his debut. “It’s something that I have always dreamed about, especially with this team, and it’s just crazy. It’s not what you expect, but man, I’m glad to get out of there with what happened. You just can’t make it up.”
Cameron had a lot of defensive help. The Royals turned in some highlights that first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino is hoping will lead ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10.
In the first inning, Royals outfielder Hunter Renfroe robbed Rays designated hitter Yandy Diaz of a potential home run. He raced to the right-field fence and hauled in the baseball. It was a key play as Cameron escaped the first inning on five pitches.
“That’s huge,” Cameron said. “I think the outing could’ve gone a lot differently if Renfroe doesn’t catch that ball. I think it’s just a huge confidence booster as a pitcher when you have your defense working hard behind you and making plays like that. It just makes my job a lot easier.”
Later, the Royals turned an inning-ending double play. Cameron ran into trouble in the second inning after walking two consecutive batters. He faced Mead as the Rays had a chance to put a run on the scoreboard.
Mead was fed sliders during the at-bat. He grounded into a 5-4-3 double play as Cameron avoided disaster.
The double play allowed Cameron to settle into a groove. He calmly navigated the lineup until he received another top defensive play.
Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. stole a base hit away from Rays outfielder Jose Caballero. Witt ranged deep into the outfield grass and threw a strike to first base. The defensive play kept the no-hit bid intact.
“I think you start sniffing the no-hitter when stuff like that starts happening,” Pasquantino said. “That’s what you need for those special nights to happen. It’s the special plays. Renfroe’s catch was really nice and that play that Bobby made was insane. … That play was incredible. What a night from the defense.”
The Royals did commit one error. In the fifth inning, infielder Cavan Biggio misplayed a line drive. The baseball rolled under his glove and went into right field.
The play was scored an error and kept the no-hitter in order. It ultimately didn’t hurt Cameron as he worked around it to end the inning.
“Usually in no-hitters, there’s going to be a couple good plays,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “I don’t have a great angle for how far that ball was in the first inning, but we know that’s a short fence there. Renfroe is a good outfielder and we know that. And that was an exceptional play by Bobby, especially with a good runner.”
The Royals held on for a 3-0 victory. Cameron relished his first career win and was celebrated by his teammates for a job well done.
“They were giving me a lot of congratulations, some hugs and all of that,” Cameron said. “It was awesome. “You know, they are the greatest teammates for sure and it makes it that more special for me to be here.”
