Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez hit two of Kansas City's four home runs to back a strong start by rookie Noah Cameron, and the Royals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-3 on Monday night. Cameron (3-4) struck out seven in a season-high seven innings.

Witt hasn't been Bobby Witt Jr. at full powers, but 80 percent of Witt's peak is enough to make an All-Star appearance. But Bubic is what an All-Star Game is all about--a first-timer who has had plenty of struggles at the big-league level, and who worked out all the kinks to finally become a star.

Witt also set a new Royals record with a 23-game road hitting streak. He passed Royals Hall of Famer Hal McRae on the all-time list. The Royals scored three runs to surge toward a 3-2 victory and a series split in Seattle.