 |
| (Getty Images) |
Chris Sale finally got a "rocking chair" win. The lefty ace responded to being spotted an 8-0 lead by striking out 12 Royals in just six innings—on the way to his ninth victory of the year. Boston got home runs from:
J.D. Martinez (his MLB-leading 27th),
Xander Bogaerts (his 14th) and
Mookie Betts (his 22nd and a franchise record 16th to lead off a game in his career). This one was just a matter of whether the bullpen could keep Kansas City at bay—which they
sorta did (yielding four earned runs).
Tyler Thornburg pitched for the first time in
Carmine Hose and was underwhelming at best—getting hit hard and giving up a run in his one inning of work.
Steve Pearce continued his blazing hitting as a member of the Red Sox—going 3-5 with an RBI. Also contributing on the offensive side were:
Brock Holt (2-5, 2 RBIs)
Sandy Leon (1-4, RBI),
Jackie Bradley, Jr. (1-4, RBI), and
Andrew Benintendi (2-4, R). The
10-5 Boston win—coupled with
The Empire loss in
America Lite—moved the Red Sox to a two-game advantage in the American League East.
