Noah Cameron adds to AL Rookie of the Year résumé with strong start vs. Blue Jays
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- Noah Cameron pitched 6 ⅔ innings with five strikeouts and just three hits allowed.
- Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino hit back-to-back homers in the fourth inning.
- Carlos Estévez earned his 41st save, six away from the Royals' single-season record.
The Kansas City Royals entered Saturday’s action with just two home games remaining at Kauffman Stadium this season.
After scoring 20 runs on Friday night, the Royals gave their fanbase another reason to celebrate this weekend. Early arriving fans got a chance to meet their favorite players and take a special photo on the field.
And those who stayed got treated to something nice, as well. The Royals earned a 2-1 victory over Toronto, their second win against the Blue Jays in as many days.
“We are never going to not fight,” superstar shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. said. “We’re going to go out there and just compete our tails off each and every night. And that’s what we’re gonna do. That’s the ‘Royals Way’ and what we are going to do from here on out.”
Royals rookie starter Noah Cameron was sharp across 6 2/3 innings. He allowed three hits and struck out five batters. He tossed 62 of 98 pitches for strikes and worked efficiently in limiting the AL-East leading Blue Jays.
In doing so, Cameron added to his AL Rookie of the Year candidacy.
“I don’t know what else he needs to do to get in that consideration,” Witt said of Cameron’s ROY status.
Cameron got a key double play in the fourth inning. Royals second baseman Michael Massey made a terrific grab to rob Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk before tossing to Witt to finish the defensive play.
“We were making really good plays,” Cameron said. “The double play to (Alejandro) Kirk was really big. It limited the pitch count and let me go an extra inning or so.”
Later in the inning, Witt gave the Royals an early lead. He belted a solo home run off Blue Jays starter Shane Bieber that traveled over the center-field wall.
The Royals weren’t finished. Vinnie Pasquantino followed with his team-leading 31st home run of the season. It was the fourth time the Royals hit consecutive home runs during the 2025 campaign.
Cameron took care of the rest. He remained in control before surrendering a solo homer to Blue Jays outfielder Ernie Clement. From there, KC relievers John Schreiber, Taylor Clarke and Carlos Estévez shut the door.
“He put together another great start,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “I mean, he attacked the (strike) zone and had a really good mix of pitches. He got in on a heavily right-handed lineup. He used his cutter to get in, his changeup to get away and used his curveball to get below. So, he really pitched well.”
Estévez earned his 41st save of the season. He is now six saves shy of the Royals’ single-season record of 47, set by Greg Holland in 2013.
The Royals (78-77) also climbed back over .500 with the victory. They have a chance to complete a sweep of the Blue Jays on Sunday and keep alive their slim hopes of making the MLB postseason.
“If that doesn’t show you something, then I got nothing for you,” Pasquantino said. “We’re not out of it, right? We do know the odds, just to be realistic about it. And we’re fighting, we’re scratching and we’re clawing because we are still trying to get in this thing.
“There is no quit in this team, and if anybody thought that there was, these last few days have proven those people wrong.”
Cameron improved to 9-7 this season in 23 starts. His win total is tied for second-most among AL rookies and matches Bill Butler (1969) for the most by a Royals first-year left-handed pitcher. And his 2.90 ERA is the second-best by an AL rookie in the Wild Card Era.
“He has a nice balance,” Quatraro said. “He’s very confident in himself, but it’s not in a boastful way. He knows he has to continue to get better and has things to work on. At the same time, he believes in himself and that goes a long way.”
What’s next: Royals veteran Michael Wacha (9-12, 3.79 ERA) will start on Sunday afternoon against the Blue Jays. Rookie Trey Yesavage (0-0, 1.80 ERA) will oppose Wacha in the final regular-season home game for KC.
This story was originally published September 20, 2025 at 8:40 PM with the headline "Noah Cameron adds to AL Rookie of the Year résumé with strong start vs. Blue Jays."
