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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 ImagesJun 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

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Dasan Harris homers twice vs. Georgia as Oklahoma reaches MCWS finals

Jun 17, 2026; Omaha, NE, USA; Oklahoma Sooners right fielder Dasan Harris (17) celebrates with first baseman Dayton Tockey (16) and left fielder Brendan Brock (10) after a three-run home run by Harris against the Georgia Bulldogs during the fourth inning at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn ImagesJun 17, 2026; Omaha, NE, USA; Oklahoma Sooners right fielder Dasan Harris (17) celebrates with first baseman Dayton Tockey (16) and left fielder Brendan Brock (10) after a three-run home run by Harris against the Georgia Bulldogs during the fourth inning at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Dasan Harris smacked two homers and drove in five runs and Oklahoma advanced to the Men’s College World Series championship round with an 11-4 victory over No. 3 Georgia on Wednesday night at Omaha, Neb.

Jason Walk added two solo homers and Trey Gambill had a two-run shot as part of his four-hit, three-RBI game for Oklahoma (41-22), which won national championships in 1951 and 1994 and was a runner-up in 2022.

The Sooners will face No. 5 North Carolina (53-12-1) in the best-of-three championship, which begins Saturday.

Kolby Branch homered and doubled, Daniel Jackson also had two hits and Ryan Black drove in two runs for the Bulldogs (53-14), who lost to the Sooners for the second time in the MCWS.

Brendan Brock had three hits for Oklahoma, which had five homers and three doubles among 15 hits.

Oklahoma’s Nick Wesloski (2-1) gave up three runs (one earned) and four hits over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked two.

LJ Mercurius gave up one run and two hits in 3 1/3 innings of relief.

The second homers by Harris and Walk came in the eighth and turned the game into a blowout.

Brock singled to start the eighth and stole second. Harris came up and ripped a two-run blast off Matt Scott to right to give the Sooners an 8-3 lead.

Three batters later, Walk slammed a homer to right against Justin Byrd to make it a six-run margin.

Gambill added a two-run double in the ninth to increase the lead to 11-3.

Branch homered in his final college at-bat in the ninth for Georgia. As he approached second base, his younger brother, Oklahoma second baseman Kyle Branch, congratulated him as the two slapped hands.

Walk homered to center with one out in the third off Paul Farley (8-2) to break the scoreless tie.

The Sooners added three runs in the fourth. Gambill homered to right with one out to make it 2-0. Brock followed with a single and moved to second on a balk before Harris slammed a two-run blast to right-center.

Georgia pushed across a run in the fifth when Kolby Branch doubled with one out and scored on a single by Black.

Oklahoma answered in the sixth when Gambill singled, stole second, moved to third on a fly ball and scored on Harris’ chopper to second to make it 5-1.

Brennan Hudson singled with one out in the Georgia sixth and Ryan Wynn walked with two outs to end Wesloski’s night. Mercurius entered and Jack Arcamone reached on an error to load the bases.

Mercurius then walked Branch and Black to force in two runs as the Bulldogs crept within 5-3. Mercurius then retired Tre Phelps on a grounder to end the inning.

In the seventh, Jaxon Willits hit a run-scoring double to right to give Oklahoma a 6-3 lead.

Farley allowed four runs and six hits over 3 1/3 innings. He struck out six and walked none.

–Field Level Media

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MLB roundup: Ryan O'Hearn's six-RBI effort powers Pirates past A's

Jun 17, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Ryan O'Hearn (29) celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run against the Athletics during the fourth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn ImagesJun 17, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Ryan O’Hearn (29) celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run against the Athletics during the fourth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

Ryan O’Hearn homered and drove in a career-best six runs while leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to an easy 12-4 victory over the Athletics on Wednesday in West Sacramento, Calif.

O’Hearn had a two-run double in the first inning, a two-run blast in the fourth and a two-run single in the seventh.

Marcell Ozuna homered among two hits while Bryan Reynolds (two RBIs), Spencer Horwitz (three runs), Nick Gonzales and Jared Triolo (two runs) also had two-hit games for the Pirates. Brandon Lowe drove in two runs as Pittsburgh won the last two games of the three-game series.

Pittsburgh starter Braxton Ashcraft (6-3) allowed two runs (one earned) and four hits over six innings. For the Athletics, Aaron Civale (5-3) gave up six runs and nine hits in three-plus innings. Zack Gelof homered in the ninth for the Athletics to extend his career-best hitting streak to 21, the majors’ longest active run.

Dodgers 5, Rays 4

Freddie Freeman hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning and Shohei Ohtani pitched through a bloody blister to earn the win as Los Angeles finished off a series sweep of visiting Tampa Bay.

Alex Call, Alex Freeland and Kyle Tucker drove in runs for the Dodgers. Ohtani (7-2) gave up four runs on seven hits over six innings. Alex Vesia pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth inning for his third save.

Yandy Diaz had two hits and an RBI for the Rays, who struggled to a 1-5 record in a six-game road trip to the Los Angeles area. Kevin Kelly (4-3) permitted two runs in 1 2/3 innings.

Marlins 12, Phillies 4

Kyle Stowers went 4-for-5 with two long home runs and five RBIs to power visiting Miami to a win over Philadelphia.

Stowers’ two blasts, along with home runs from Owen Caissie, Jakob Marsee and Joe Mack, were more than enough offense for Sandy Alcantara (7-4), who worked six strong innings to improve to 4-0 in June. The right-hander gave up four runs (two earned) on eight hits.

Phillies starter Andrew Painter (1-8) lasted just two innings and allowed six runs on six hits. Alec Bohm went 2-for-4 with an RBI for Philadelphia, while Trea Turner had three hits and a run.

Mets 9, Reds 1

Nolan McLean allowed just one unearned run over seven innings and Juan Soto had three hits and drove in two runs as New York salvaged the finale of a three-game series at Cincinnati.

Bo Bichette and Francisco Alvarez also had three hits apiece for the Mets. Bichette went 8-for-14 during the three-game series. McLean (4-4) allowed just three hits, struck out nine and walked one.

Nick Lodolo (2-2) was tagged for seven runs on 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings as the Reds were denied their first home sweep of the season.

Yankees 10, White Sox 5

Paul Goldschmidt capped a five-run fifth inning by hitting a three-run homer and New York extended its home winning streak over Chicago to nine games.

Cody Bellinger and Jazz Chisholm Jr. also went deep as the Yankees won their fourth straight overall. Carlos Rodon (3-2) gave up three runs on seven hits in five innings.

Colson Montgomery produced his first career multi-homer game for the White Sox, and Sam Antoncacci also hit a home run. Anthony Kay (6-2) surrendered four runs on six hits in four innings.

Royals 6, Nationals 2

Carter Jensen, John Rave, Lane Thomas and Michael Massey each hit solo home runs to power visiting Kansas City to a win over Washington.

Jensen was 4-for-4 with a double and a walk, and Rave added a triple and scored two runs. Luinder Avila (2-3) allowed one run on three hits over 5 2/3 innings as the Royals salvaged the finale of the three-game series.

Nasim Nunez had two hits for the Nationals, who were outhit 12-6 but got RBIs from CJ Abrams and Dylan Crews. Zack Littell (6-6) gave up four runs on seven hits in five innings.

Astros 4, Tigers 2

Peter Lambert allowed one run on two hits over seven innings and Jeremy Pena drove in two runs, lifting host Houston to a rubber-game victory over Detroit.

Lambert (6-4) surrendered a solo homer to Kerry Carpenter in the seventh, struck out five and did not walk a batter to improve to 4-0 in his last five starts. Pena belted a solo homer in the third and added an RBI single in the sixth, and Yordan Alvarez and Isaac Paredes each had an RBI double in the fifth.

Astros closer Josh Hader overcame rookie Kevin McGonigle’s homer to lead off the ninth by striking out the next three batters to secure his fourth save. Casey Mize, who came off the 15-day injured list before the game, permitted three runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings for the Tigers, who have lost four of their past five.

Giants 7, Braves 2 (completion of suspended game)

Robbie Ray threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings and Jung Ho Lee hit a homer and drove in a pair of runs to help visiting San Francisco defeat Atlanta in a game that was suspended on Tuesday due to rain.

Ray (5-6) allowed just two hits while striking out eight and walking two. Rafael Devers and Willy Adames each hit a solo home run for the Giants.

Grant Holmes (4-3) gave up three runs on four hits in two innings for the Braves before the contest was paused on Tuesday. Drake Baldwin opened the bottom of the first with the longest homer in the majors this year, 473 feet.

Giants 7, Braves 5 (regularly scheduled game)

Luis Arraez homered and drove in four runs and Carson Whisenhunt tossed five solid innings in his season debut to help visiting San Francisco post another victory over Atlanta.

Whisenhunt (1-0) allowed two runs on six hits after being called up from Triple-A Sacramento in the morning. Willy Adames and Bryce Eldridge hit solo home runs for the Giants, who won their third straight overall.

J.R. Ritchie (1-2) threw five innings of five-hit, five-run ball for the scuffling Braves, who dropped their sixth game in seven tries.

Padres 6, Cardinals 1

Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill each went 3-for-5 with two RBIs as visiting San Diego earned a victory over St. Louis to avoid a series sweep.

Xander Bogaerts went 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Padres. Merrill, who matched his season high for hits, put the game away with a two-run home run that capped a three-run ninth inning off Cardinals reliever Chris Roycroft.

Griffin Canning (1-5) kept the Cardinals in check for his first Padres win. He scattered four hits over 4 1/3 innings, allowing one run. St. Louis starter Kyle Leahy (5-4) gave up three runs on seven hits in six innings.

Diamondbacks 8, Angels 1

Corbin Carroll hit a grand slam to cap a five-run second inning and Arizona cruised to a win against visiting Los Angeles in the deciding game of a three-game series in Phoenix.

Tommy Troy and Ketel Marte each produced two hits, two RBIs and a run while Gabriel Moreno delivered three hits for the Diamondbacks, who have won three of four. Arizona starter Eduardo Rodriguez (6-2) allowed one run and six hits in seven innings.

Zach Neto homered and singled for the Angels, who had won five of seven. Sam Aldegheri (2-2) struggled through three innings, giving up six runs on six hits.

Blue Jays 3, Red Sox 0

Toronto received nine scoreless innings from seven pitchers and beat host Boston in the second game of a three-game series.

Max Scherzer was supposed to start for Toronto but was placed on the 15-day injured list with back spasms before the game. Braydon Fisher started and got the first four outs before he was replaced by Simeon Woods Richardson (1-7), who tossed three scoreless innings.

Andres Gimenez went 2-for-4 with an RBI and scored twice for the Blue Jays, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. added two hits and two RBIs. Boston rookie Jake Bennett (1-3) allowed two runs on three hits in 5 1/3 innings. The Red Sox stranded 13 runners and were 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position.

Brewers 9, Guardians 4

Jackson Chourio and Christian Yelich homered as Milwaukee downed visiting Cleveland.

Milwaukee’s highly touted shortstop prospect Cooper Pratt produced his first career hit in the second inning and added an RBI single in the eighth. Reliever Chad Patrick (4-3) threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out seven of the 12 batters he faced.

The Guardians, with regulars Chase DeLauter, Jose Ramirez and Angel Martinez all on the injured list, managed just three hits while losing for the sixth time in eight games. Gavin Williams (9-4) allowed seven runs on seven hits in five innings. Daniel Espino pitched a perfect sixth in his major league debut.

Cubs 8, Rockies 6

Dansby Swanson hit a two-run homer and Matt Shaw had a two-run triple as host Chicago scored seven runs in the second inning to beat Colorado in the rubber game of a three-game set.

Cubs starter Javier Assad (5-1) gave up five hits and two runs in 5 2/3 innings. Jacob Webb pitched the ninth to get his second save despite giving up a solo home run to Kyle Karros.

Sterlin Thompson put Colorado on the board in the third with the first of two solo shots, the first two long balls of his career. Hunter Goodman highlighted a three-run eighth for the Rockies with his 21st homer, a two-run shot. Sean Sullivan (0-1) was roughed up in his second career start, surrendering eight runs and nine hits in four innings.

Orioles 5, Mariners 3

Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday homered and Kyle Bradish struck out a career-high 12 in 7 2/3 strong innings as Baltimore defeated host Seattle.

Dominic Canzone and Cole Young hit back-to-back homers to open the bottom of the ninth against Orioles closer Ryan Helsley, who was making his first appearance after a seven-week absence caused by right elbow inflammation. Helsley overcame that by getting Victor Robles to ground out before fanning Colt Emerson and Connor Joe.

Bradish (4-7), who lasted four innings in each of his previous two starts and gave up five runs in both, limited the Mariners to one run on five hits. Seattle starter George Kirby (5-7) allowed three runs on eight hits over six innings.

–Field Level Media

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Minus top run producers, Guardians out to deny Brewers sweep

Jun 10, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians pitcher Parker Messick (77) throws a pitch during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesJun 10, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians pitcher Parker Messick (77) throws a pitch during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The injury-riddled Cleveland Guardians will turn to Parker Messick as they try to avoid a sweep against the host Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday in the finale of a three-game series.

Messick (6-3, 2.68 ERA) will face Shane Drohan (3-2, 3.59) in a matchup of left-handers. Each will be facing the opponent for the first time in his career.

Christian Yelich and Jackson Chourio homered to pace Milwaukee to a 9-4 victory on Wednesday, moving the NL Central-leading Brewers a season-high 19 games above .500.

Daniel Schneemann accounted for all of the Guardians’ runs with a fourth-inning grand slam that cut the deficit to 5-4. With starters Chase DeLauter, Jose Ramirez and Angel Martinez all on the injured list, Cleveland managed just three hits.

DeLauter (ribcage), Ramirez (hand), and Martinez (foot) all were injured in Cleveland’s 3-1 win over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday. DeLauter was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday, and outfielder Kahlil Watson was recalled from Triple-A Columbus.

“We took a big hit over the weekend,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said following the Wednesday game. “It’s been two games and it’s going to take this offense some time to get its cadence and get its rhythm.”

The three injured players are Cleveland’s top RBI producers. Martinez has a team-high 11 homers along with 33 RBIs. Ramirez has 10 homers and 33 RBIs, and DeLauter has seven homers and a team-leading 34 RBIs.

“We’ve got to keep working, got to keep going and we’re going to get better,” Vogt said.

Cleveland has dropped 10 of its past 15 games.

Messick has won just once in five starts since mid-May. He has lost both of his outings this month, allowing eight runs (seven earned) in 11 1/3 innings.

Messick yielded five runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings in his latest start, an 8-4 home loss to the New York Yankees on June 10. He struck out four.

Drohan will make his fourth consecutive start after 10 straight relief appearances. He is 1-1 with a 5.28 ERA in three starts this month, having allowed nine runs on 17 hits in 15 1/3 innings.

Drohan took the loss in his most recent appearance, giving up four runs on eight hits in five-plus innings during a 9-8 home defeat against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday. He fanned seven and walked one.

Highly touted Brewers rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt singled twice, drove in one run and stole a base on Wednesday after going 0-for-3 and committing an error in his major league debut on Tuesday.

“Yesterday, I was just kind of trying to figure out the schedule, trying to figure out where I was supposed to be, when I was supposed to be there and not be late. Trying to figure the ins and outs, kind of,” Pratt said following the Wednesday game. “Today, after having yesterday, knowing when to do stuff, not being rushed. And then I was more relaxed as I got the first one out of the way and then it was just like, ‘You had your day, now it’s time to play.'”

Chourio has been on a tear, socking six homers in his past seven games. He is hitting .370 (27-for-73) over his past 17 games with nine homers, four doubles and 23 RBIs.

–Field Level Media

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