James Paxton leads Boston Red Sox to defeat Kansas City Royals – TSN.ca

BOSTON (AP) — James Paxton scored 5 1/3 field goals and five Boston pitchers combined for seven shutouts as the Red Sox defeated the Kansas City Royals 2-0 on Thursday night.

John Schreiber, Josh Winckowski and Chris Martin followed Paxton and Kenley Jansen respectively retired in the ninth inning for his 25th save as Boston moved five games over .500 at 60-55 and took three of four games. From Royals

“There was a lot of confidence in passing the ball to them,” said Paxton. “We have a talented group out there and doing really well.”

On the second night in a row The Red Sox turned to the original four members of the Bullpen. And each pitcher managed to keep the Royals off the scoreboard. Winchowski, Martin and Jansen each hit double, while Schreiber stuck at third base to finish sixth.

“They attacked the Zone with good stuff. And we closed it,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said.

Alex Verdugo made a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning to give Boston a 1-0 lead, and Adam Duvall doubled an RBI in the fifth.

Trevor Story doubled up as a straight zero in the fourth for his first strike in nine at-bats since returning from the injured list.

“He was able to follow the fastball from 0-2 after seeing all the sliders,” says Cora. ​​“The walk was good as well. Just grind and keep going.”

in the fifth inning while it was raining at Fenway Park. Duvall’s hit was originally decided by third base umpire Emil Jimenez, but Cora decided to challenge the call and was canceled after review.

Paxton (7-3), who allowed three homers in his previous start against Toronto. Spread out six hits with six strikeouts and no walks. The 34-year-old left-hander was saved from a slide by Verdugo that led to a double play that ended in a 9-3 inning in the second.

“He helped me with a good play,” Paxton said of Verdugo’s grab and throw, which doubled up Kansas City’s MJ Melendez in the first place.

Austin Cox and Taylor Hearn worked the first three innings for Kansas City (37-80). Alex March (0-6) reached the last five innings. Letting out two runs while hitting a third out.

“I think he (Marsh) throws the ball well. Five innings saved two runs. That was a quality start,” said Cox, who served as the opener.

The Red Sox improve to 9-1 this season wearing yellow “City Connect” uniforms. Boston wears a 24-5 uniform all the time.

still stumble

Maikel Garcia wasted little time extending his streak to a career-best 14 games. The Kansas City third baseman jumped onto the first pitch of the game and quickly separated from the field to left. It was the longest hitting streak by a KC player since 2019 when Whit Merrifield scored 15 games.

Trainer room

Red Sox: Friday will be Chris Sale’s first start for Boston since leaving his June 1 appearance with an inflamed left shoulder. Before Thursday’s game, Cora said the plan was for Sale to pitch four innings. “Just to have him back. That was a big deal for us,” Cora said.… INF Justin Turner (heel) was not on the starting lineup for the third game in a row. He has now missed six of his last nine games since being injured on July 31… Cora says there’s a good chance RHP Garrett Whitlock (elbow) will be active on Sunday… RHP Tanner. Houck (facial fracture) should have a second rehab for Triple-A Worcester on Thursday. But the game was raining. He is now scheduled to present WooSox on Friday.

next

Royals: Kansas City has yet to announce a starter for Friday’s home game against St. Louis. The Cardinals plan to start right-hander Adam Wainwright (3-6, 7.81).

Red Sox: Resume 10 homestand games Friday, with the first of three games against Detroit. Chris Sale is scheduled to start for Boston against Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal (2-1, 3.67).

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb