KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Royals got to Boston starter John Lackey early for four runs and held on to defeat the Red Sox 4-3 on Sunday afternoon. Starter James Shields bounced back from a poor performance against Minnesota and held the Red Sox in check, surrendering three runs, two of them earned, while striking out five en route to his seventh win.
Alex Gordon finished a strong series at the plate, hitting what turned out to be the game-winning home run in the third inning and finishing the day three for four with two RBIs. Gordon went 6-15 during the four-game set, with a pair of home runs, four RBIs and two stolen bases.
The Royals have now won seven consecutive series and that has boosted the team’s overall record to 61-54. The stretch started in the second-half after the Royals appeared lifeless when they dropped five games in a row before the All-Star break. Royals pitching has been exceptional during the run, posting a collective 2.58 ERA while the team has gone 17-5.
The Royals picked up a game on the Detroit Tigers in the central division and are now seven-and-a-half games behind. the Tigers. The team held serve with the wild card competitors that played early Sunday games; Oakland and Cleveland both won.
The Miami Marlins come to Kauffman Stadium for a three-game series that starts on Monday. The series will feature Wade Davis, Bruce Chen and Ervin Santana as the starters, the Royals will look to win its eighth series in a row.
