By MATT PIKE
The Kansas City Royals were swept by the Boston Red Sox after Jarren Duran’s opposite-field two-run home run in the seventh inning rallied the Red Sox to a 4-3 win over the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
Kansas City opened the game scoring with a solo home run from Salvador Perez in the first inning. The home run from Perez was the 135th of his career at Kauffman Stadium. He is one shy of the record held by George Brett.
In the second inning though, Boston took the lead with two runs after Willson Contreras tripled and scored on a single by Nick Sogard. Ceddanne Rafaela scored the go ahead run, after reaching on a fielding error when Carlos Narváez grounded into a double play, giving the Red Sox a 2-1 lead.
Elias Díaz gave the Royals the lead back in the fifth inning with a two run home run, scoring Starling Marte, before with one on and one out in the seventh, Duran sent reliever Steven Cruz’s fastball 366 feet into the bullpen in left for his sixth homer, helping the Red Sox complete a series sweep of the faltering Royals.
Michael Wacha allowed two runs, one earned, on six hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in six innings. It was his fourth straight quality start and his American League-leading eighth of the season. Cruz fell to 0-2 on the season in relief facing four batters and allowing two runs on two hits. They were his first runs allowed in six appearances since being recalled from Triple-A Omaha on May 8th.
At the plate, Perez was 3-for-4 with the home run and an RBI. Díaz was 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs, while Bobby Witt Jr was 1-for-4 with a double.
The Royals (20-30) lost for the ninth time in 10 games and slipped a season-worst 10 games below .500. Kansas City was swept in a series for the fourth time this season, tied for most in the MLB.
Kansas City will have an off day on Thursday, before hosting the Seattle Mariners on Friday. Noah Cameron (2-3, 5.40 ERA, 36K's) is expected to make the start for the Royals against Logan Gilbert (2-4, 4.45 ERA, 57 K's) for the Mariners on Friday. First pitch will be at 6:40pm, with pregame at 6 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.