Jarren Duran’s opposite-field two-run homer in the seventh inning lifted the Boston Red Sox to a 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night, completing a series sweep at Kauffman Stadium.
With one on and one out in the seventh, Duran drove a Steven Cruz fastball 366 feet into the bullpen in left field for his sixth homer. The Red Sox’s three-game winning streak matched their season high.
Boston starter Connelly Early (4-2) allowed three runs on two swings: Salvador Perez’s solo homer in the first inning and Elias Díaz’s two-run shot in the fifth. The 24-year-old left-hander gave up six hits, struck out five and worked 6 1/3 innings.
Willson Contreras had three of Boston’s 11 hits, including his second triple in four years. In the second inning, Contreras tripled into the right-field corner and scored on Nick Sogard’s single.
Aroldis Chapman earned his 12th save and converted his 26th consecutive save chance.
Perez finished with three hits, including his 135th career home run at Kauffman Stadium. He is one shy of the record held by George Brett. Díaz’s 405-foot homer to left-center in the fifth put Kansas City ahead 3-2.
Royals starter Michael Wacha allowed two runs, one earned, on six hits and two walks while striking out eight in six innings. It was his fourth straight quality start and his American League-leading eighth of the season.
Cruz (0-2) faced four batters and gave up two runs on two hits, his first runs allowed in six appearances since being recalled from Triple-A Omaha on May 8.
The Royals (20-30) lost for the ninth time in 10 games and fell to a season-worst 10 games below .500. Kansas City was swept in a series for the fourth time this season, tied for most in MLB.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source wgme.com ’
