Sports
Royals' Noah Cameron chases elusive win in clash vs. Cards
Jun 7, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Noah Cameron (65) throws a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Noah Cameron has pitched well against the St. Louis Cardinals during his young career but has nothing to show for it.
The left-hander will look for better fortune when he takes the mound on Thursday as the Royals open a three-game series against the visiting Cardinals.
Cameron (3-4, 4.11 ERA) enjoyed a strong rookie 2025 season, posting a 9-7 record and 2.99 ERA in 24 starts and finishing fourth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting. Though 2026 has been inconsistent, he notched a string of four quality starts in five outings before allowing a pair of two-run homers over 4 1/3 innings in Kansas City’s 8-7 loss to Houston on Saturday.
“Two bad pitches,” Cameron said. “Didn’t execute.”
Cameron hasn’t had much trouble with execution while posting a 1.96 ERA versus St. Louis, which is batting .148 against him.
However, the Royals lost all three of those contests, with Cameron being saddled with two defeats. He yielded the only run of the game on May 17, 2025 — a Jordan Walker homer over 6 1/3 innings in a 1-0 loss. He scattered two hits over six scoreless innings the following month, however Kansas City’s bullpen blew a 3-0 lead in the 6-5 loss at St. Louis.
Then last month, Cameron gave up three runs in six innings of the Royals’ 4-2 setback against the Cardinals.
“Obviously, you can’t be mad about quality starts,” Cameron said.
Kansas City has dropped three straight series at home, where it is mired in a 4-12 rut. However, the Royals have some momentum entering the I-70 series after they avoided being swept at Washington with a 6-2 win on Wednesday afternoon.
Carter Jensen homered among his four hits and Lane Thomas, Michael Massey and John Rave also went deep for the Royals.
“We’ve got to score runs and (the pitching staff has) to prevent them when we are ahead,” Thomas told The Kansas City Star. “You know, as long as we do that, two out of three days a series, I think we will be OK.”
Kansas City dropped two of three last month at St. Louis.
The Cardinals had won nine of 12 before dropping a 6-1 decision to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday.
Scheduled Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore (3-3, 4.71) did not face the Royals in the previous series and is 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in four career appearances (two starts) versus Kansas City.
The left-hander hopes to get back on track after he allowed nine runs — seven earned — and four homers over 8 2/3 innings in his last two starts.
Alec Burleson drove in the Cardinals’ run Wednesday and is batting .310 with 18 RBIs during a 17-game hitting streak. He’s a career .302 hitter with 10 RBIs in 14 games versus Kansas City.
“He’s one of those guys who has a really good plan, and commits to it,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said of Burleson, who is 0-for-4 against Cameron.
“That’s what allows him to have success.”
Jensen, meanwhile, is batting .361 with two home runs and nine RBIs in his last nine games. Teammate Salvador Perez is hitting just .200 on the season, but he is 4-for-7 with a homer versus Liberatore.
Kansas City has been ravaged with injuries this season, and All-Star third baseman Maikel Garcia could miss a second straight game with a nagging hand injury.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Morocco's Achraf Hakimi to stand trial on rape charges in France
June 13, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.; Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi reacts against Brazil. Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-Imagn Images Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi lost an appeal and will stand trial on rape charges in France.
An appeals court in Versailles concluded that there was sufficient evidence for Hakimi, 27, to stand trial, according to a statement provided to The Athletic on Friday.
Hakimi has denied any wrongdoing since being charged in March 2023. A 24-year-old woman alleged he assaulted her in February 2023, according to previous reports.
The Paris Saint-Germain fullback, who is part of Morocco’s squad at the World Cup, said he is looking forward to the opportunity to clear his name.
“Justice looked me in the eyes and said to me: ‘If you weren’t famous, there never would have been a case,'” Hakimi posted Friday on X, translated from French.
“I chose to remain silent for years. I thought that staying dignified, being patient, and trusting the justice system would allow the right decisions to be made.
“Today, a story that is not mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and above all, the truth. Sometimes I feel like I’ve become an easy target.
“I’ve been waiting for this trial since day one. And now I’m looking forward to it. Finally, I will be able to speak.”
Rachel-Flore Pardo, the plaintiff’s lawyer, praised the decision to move forward with a trial.
“The investigating chamber has ruled that there is sufficient evidence against Achraf Hakimi for committing rape,” Pardo wrote on X.
“This decision is perfectly consistent with the evidence in the case and in line with the opinions of the public prosecutor, the investigating judge, and the advocate general at the Court of Appeal.
“… The hope is that this trial will help other women, and further crack the fortress of denial and impunity surrounding sexual violence, even in the world of men’s football.”
No trial date has been set for Hakimi, who played the full 90 minutes in each of Morocco’s first two World Cup matches, including a 1-0 win over Scotland on Friday in Foxborough, Mass. Morocco (1-0-1, 4 points) conclude Group C action against Haiti on Wednesday in Atlanta.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Marshawn Lynch credentialed as photographer at World Cup
June 19, 2026; Seattle, Washington, U.S.; Former NFL player and photographer Marshawn Lynch during the match. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images Former NFL All-Pro Marshawn Lynch has become an accomplished photographer in his retirement. He can now add “credentialed World Cup photographer” to his resume, thanks to his appearance at the United States’ 2-0 victory over Australia on Friday.
Lynch, a former running back who racked up 6,381 yards and 58 touchdowns on the ground as a member of the Seattle Seahawks, was back in Seattle Stadium to shoot the United States’ second World Cup victory in as many games.
Lynch, 40, has been a credentialed photographer since at least last August, when he was spotted throwing a stiff arm to protect his camera during a preseason content between Seattle and the Las Vegas Raiders.
He was also seen rubbing elbows with several celebrities on hand, including NBA star Devin Booker.
Devin Booker ?? Marshawn Lynch
Two legends linked up at the USA’s match vs Australia ??
(??: @Suns) pic.twitter.com/yKrIMeIwp2
— PHNX Suns (@PHNX_Suns) June 19, 2026
The five-time Pro Bowler, who also played for the Buffalo Bills and Raiders during a 12-year career that resulted in over 10,000 career rushing yards, was also seen delivering a pregame speech to fans outside the stadium.
That type of versatility is par for the course for Lynch, who has worked as an actor, been a sports franchise owner (most notably with the NHL’s Seattle Kraken), and dabbled with cannabis and holoportation investments since his NFL career ended.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Kerry Carpenter's double propels Tigers past White Sox
Jun 19, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) throws a pitch against the Chicago White Sox in the second inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images Kerry Carpenter had a go-ahead two-run double in the sixth inning and the host Detroit Tigers held on for a 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday.
Matt Vierling hit a two-run homer and Dillon Dingler supplied three hits and scored two runs for the Tigers.
Detroit ace Tarik Skubal allowed three runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Skubal, who recorded eight strikeouts, was making his second start since undergoing a surgical procedure on his pitching elbow.
Drew Anderson (3-3) struck out three in 1 1/3 innings of relief to get the win. Kenley Jensen pitched the ninth for his eighth save.
Junior Perez had the first two hits of his career, including a solo homer, for the White Sox. Randal Grichuk also homered.
Erick Fedde (2-6) gave up two runs in 4 2/3 innings for Chicago, striking out four and walking one.
Grichuk, the second batter of the game, drove a 1-2 changeup over the left-field wall to give the White Sox a 1-0 lead. The Tigers answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning.
Dingler smacked a single before Vierling drove a Brandon Eisert fastball over the left-center-field wall. Eisert was used as an opener, allowing the two runs in 1 1/3 innings.
Kevin McGonigle led off the bottom of the third with a double, but Fedde retired the next three batters to leave him stranded.
Chicago pushed across a run in the fifth to tie the score.
Sam Antonacci and Luisangel Acuna led off with singles to put runners on the corners. Tristan Peters hit into a fielder’s choice as Antonacci scored. Miguel Vargas singled and Grichuk walked to load the bases. Peters was thrown out at home on Chase Meidroth’s groundout and Colson Montgomery struck out, leaving the score at 2-all.
Perez gave the White Sox the lead on his breakthrough homer with one out in the sixth. He drove a Skubal changeup over the left-center-field wall.
Detroit regained the lead at 4-3 in the bottom of the frame. Dingler led off with a single and Riley Greene drew a one-out walk. With two down, Carpenter blooped a double to center to bring in both runners
–Field Level Media
The most read Kindle books of 2026 (so far)
Morocco's Achraf Hakimi to stand trial on rape charges in France
