Chris Sale shines, Masataka Yoshida hits a home run and the Red Sox win

Red Sox

Sale didn’t allow a run past five innings.

By AVERY OSEN, Associated Press

September 3, 2023 | 5:46 p.m

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (AP) — Masataka Yoshida hit a three-run home run and Adam Duvall had a solo shot in support of Chris Sale as the Boston Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 7-3 on Sunday.

Sale (6-3) didn’t allow a run through five innings, allowing two hits and knocking out five while scoring two. It was the first time he hadn’t allowed a run in a start since July 12 of last season.

The Red Sox have won back-to-back after losing six out of seven in the three-game set against the Royals. They came in 5 1/2 games behind Rangers and were fighting for the final wildcard spot.

Yoshida’s three-run home run went 415 feet into right field and scored Justin Turner and Triston Casas in the fourth inning. It was his 14th home run this year. Duvall added a home run in the sixth inning for the 19th time this season to give Boston a 4-0 lead.

Boston added two runs in run seven, including an RBI from Turner, which came from Austin Cox. Rafael Devers hit an RBI double in the ninth game.

Salvador Perez hit an RBI single in the sixth with Bobby Witt Jr. and Dairon Blanco in the ninth hit a two-run single against Kenley Jansen.

Taylor Clarke opened the game and threw a scoreless inning before Zack Greinke (1-14) went 3 2/3 innings and allowed three runs with five hits.

It’s been over a month since the Royals have won a series and lost eight of their last nine games.

TRAINING ROOM

Alex Verdugo left the game midway through the sixth inning due to a left hamstring strain. … The Red Sox have again removed LHP Brennan Bernardino from the COVID-19-related injured list. The club have also added RHP Garrett Whitlock to the bereavement list.

NEXT

Boston will travel to Tampa Bay on Monday, with Brayan Bello (10-8, 3.57) taking the mound. Kansas City sent Cole Ragans (5-4, 3.27) onto the hill on Monday where they host the White Sox.