Final
Red Sox close out Royals in grand style
Sep 15, 2014 - 3:01 AM Kansas City, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - Daniel Nava slugged the go-ahead grand slam in the sixth inning and the Boston Red Sox walked away with an 8-4 result against the Kansas City Royals in the finale of a four-game series.Xander Bogaerts hit a three-run shot and knocked in four for the Red Sox, who took three of four in the set. Mookie Betts added two hits and scored twice, while David Ross walked two times and crossed home on two occasions.
Joe Kelly (2-2) was saved by his offense, picking up the win after yielding four runs on five hits through six innings.
"He's got such electric stuff that he settled in and pitched a solid six innings for us," Red Sox manager John Farrell said.
Eric Hosmer slammed a three-run shot for the Royals, who fell 1 1/2 games behind AL Central leader Detroit after failing to hold a four-run second- inning lead. Jarrod Dyson drove in the other run, while Omar Infante and Alex Gordon had two hits each.
Jason Vargas (11-9) was charged in the loss for five runs and four hits despite fanning eight over 5 1/3 frames.
"We need to play better ball ... we're running out of games," Vargas said.
Ross walked with one down in the fourth, Betts singled with two away and Bogaerts pulled the Sox within 4-3 on a drive to left.
Boston surged ahead in the sixth thanks to Nava's two-out grand slam. Betts and Bogaerts reached with singles, moved up on a David Ortiz fly out and Yoenis Cespedes walked against Aaron Crow to load the bases. Allen Craig struck out swinging but Nava made it 7-4 by powering a pitch to right.
In the seventh, Ross worked a leadoff walk, went to second on a hit, moved to third on a Betts fielders' choice grounder and scored on a Bogaerts sac fly.
The Royals didn't go quietly against Edward Mujica in the ninth. Mike Moustakas reached on a fielders' choice, then Alcides Escobar singled with two down and Nori Aoki worked a walk to load the bases. Lorenzo Cain was frozen on a called third strike to end the contest.
KC blitzed Kelly in the second inning. Gordon and Salvador Perez began the frame with singles and Hosmer plated them with a three-run shot to center. Infante followed with a hit, went to third on a Moustakas single and came in on a Dyson groundout.
Game Notes
Nava's slam was his second career blast with the bases loaded, and first since he belted the first pitch he saw in the majors against Philadelphia's Joe Blanton on June 12, 2010 ... The Red Sox took six of seven from the playoff hopeful Royals in 2014 ... Boston continues its road trip in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, and Kansas City welcomes the White Sox on Monday.
- BOSTON: 8
KANSAS CITY: 4
Final
Sep 14 5:35 PM - Xander Bogaerts sacrifice fly to center scored David Ross with two out. Runner on first and David Ortiz due up.
Red Sox 8, Royals 4 Top 7, 2 OutsSep 14 4:23 PM - Xander Bogaerts out on a sacrifice fly to deep right center field to Jarrod Dyson. David Ross scores.
Red Sox 8, Royals 4 Top 7, 1 OutSep 14 4:21 PM - Daniel Nava two-out, Grand Slam (4) to right scored Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts and Yoenis Cespedes. Will Middlebrooks due up.
Red Sox 7, Royals 4 Top 6, 2 OutsSep 14 3:58 PM - Daniel Nava homers to center field. Yoenis Cespedes scores. Xander Bogaerts scores. Mookie Betts scores.
Red Sox 7, Royals 4 Top 6, 2 OutsSep 14 3:57 PM - Xander Bogaerts two-out, three-run Home Run (12) to left scored David Ross and Mookie Betts. David Ortiz due up.
Red Sox 3, Royals 4 Top 3, 2 OutsSep 14 2:56 PM - Xander Bogaerts homers to left field. Mookie Betts scores. David Ross scores.
Red Sox 3, Royals 4 Top 3, 2 OutsSep 14 2:54 PM - Jarrod Dyson ground out second to first scored Omar Infante with one out. On the play, Mike Moustakas advances to second. Runner on second and Alcides Escobar due up.
Red Sox 0, Royals 4 Bot 2, 1 OutSep 14 2:43 PM - Jarrod Dyson grounds out to second base, Mookie Betts to Allen Craig. Mike Moustakas to second. Omar Infante scores.
Red Sox 0, Royals 4 Bot 2, 0 OutsSep 14 2:41 PM - Eric Hosmer none-out, three-run Home Run (8) to center scored Alex Gordon and Salvador Perez. Omar Infante due up.
Red Sox 0, Royals 3 Bot 2, 0 OutsSep 14 2:36 PM - Eric Hosmer homers to center field. Salvador Perez scores. Alex Gordon scores.
Red Sox 0, Royals 3 Bot 2, 0 OutsSep 14 2:35 PM - BOSTON: 0
KANSAS CITY: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Sep 14 2:13 PM
Sep 14 2:12 PM
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