Boston Red Sox vs Kansas City Royals Box Score on Jun 20, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Jun 20, 2017

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Chris Sale gave up four hits and struck out 10 in 8 1/3 innings as the Boston Red Sox breezed to an 8-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals Tuesday night.

Sale (9-3) increased his major league-leading strikeout total to 146. He has struck out 10 or more in 10 starts. The last Red Sox player with 10 or more such starts prior to the All-Star break was Pedro Martinez with 11 in 1999.

The Red Sox banged out a dozen hits, led by Chris Young going 3-for-4 with a run-producing double and scoring a run. Xander Bogaerts and Sandy Leon each collected two hits and two RBIs.

The victory moved the Red Sox (40-31) into first place in the American League East, a half-game in front of the New York Yankees, who have lost seven straight. Boston is 19-10 since May 21.

Sale prevented the Royals (34-36) from reaching .500 for the first time since April 19 when they were 7-7.

The Red Sox added three runs in the sixth with Leon scoring on a Young double. Bogaerts drove in two more runs with a single. All the runs were off Royals rookie reliever Kevin McCarthy, who had not permitted a run in 6 1/3 innings in four appearances entering the game.

Jorge Bonifacio, who struck out in his first three at-bats against Sale, homered with Whit Merrifield aboard in a two-run Kansas City ninth.

Mike Moustakas hit his 100th career home run in the second, driving a Chris Sale 1-0 pitch 440 feet to right, giving the Royals a 1-0 lead.

The Red Sox tied it in the third with Mookie Betts' single scoring Devin Marrero, who led off the inning with a double.

Royals rookie left-hander Matt Strahm (2-4) failed to make it out of the fourth inning, facing four batters in that frame and all scored, as the Red Sox seized a 5-1 advantage.

Jackie Bradley Jr. opened it with a single and scored when Sam Travis drilled a double to left. After Josh Rutledge beat out an infield single to Moustakas, Strahm uncorked a wild pitch as Travis and Rutledge each moved up 90 feet. Leon got both home with a double and finished Strahm's evening after 75 pitches.

Scott Alexander replaced Strahm and promptly threw a wild pitch, advancing Leon to third. Marrero's sacrifice fly to center fielder Lorenzo Cain brought Leon home.

Strahm's final line was five runs on seven hits, a walk and a wild pitch. He faced 17 batters.

Alcides Escobar singled to start the Kansas City third for his 1,000th hit as a Royal.

NOTES: The Red Sox made four roster moves. They placed 3B Pablo Sanchez on the disabled list with an ear infection. They optioned RHP Austin Maddox to Triple-A Pawtucket. They recalled 1B Sam Travis and 3B Deven Marrero from Pawtucket and both were immediately inserted into the lineup. ... Royals LHP Danny Duffy threw to hitters before the game for the first time since going on the disabled list May 30 with a right oblique strain. ... Royals RHP Nathan Karns will throw Wednesday for the first time since having a setback in a June 10 bullpen in San Diego. ... Royals prospect RHP Luke Farrell, the son of Red Sox manager John Farrell, allowed one run and three hits over eight innings, while striking out nine and walking none as Triple-A Omaha beat Iowa 5-1. ... Red Sox LHP Drew Pomeranz and Royals RHP Ian Kennedy are the Wednesday probables in the series finale.