Cubs player hits foul ball off groin, strikes out vs. Royals on clock violation
The 60th career strikeout for a player isn’t usually a noteworthy accomplishment, but it was Monday night for Royals rookie left-hander Noah Cameron — because of how he got it.
Cameron recorded two punchouts in the first inning of the Royals’ game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, and the latter came in decidedly unusual fashion.
Chicago left fielder Seiya Suzuki worked the count to 3-1 when he fouled off a pitch that hit the ground and bounced up into his own leg. The ball then traveled a little farther up and appeared to hit Suzuki in a particularly painful part of his body.
Suzuki stepped out of the batter’s box and tried to get himself ready for the next pitch. But he failed to call a timeout and home-plate umpire Clint Vondrak issued a pitch-clock violation for strike three.
That’s an unusual way to get a strikeout, but Cameron wasn’t complaining.
The Cubs’ broadcaster, realizing where that ball hit Suzuki after seeing a replay, let out an audible groan.
Here is the oddball play.
Royals catcher Salvador Perez said Suzuki never communicated with Vondrak.
“I think the ball hit him somewhere and he never called timeout. That’s why he confused the umpire,” Perez said. “And I think the umpire asked, ‘Are you calling timeout?’ ... and he never said anything ...
“So he didn’t answer and the umpire said it’s a violation, you strike out. If you get hit by a pitch or something like that, tell the umpire or use your timeout.”
This story was originally published July 21, 2025 at 8:34 PM with the headline "Cubs player hits foul ball off groin, strikes out vs. Royals on clock violation."
