Final
Dice-K wins in return from DL, Red Sox finish off Royals
Aug 28, 2012 - 1:00 AMVideo
In his first start since July 2, Matsuzaka (1-3) worked seven innings, scattering five hits and one unearned run with two walks and six strikeouts.
"He gave us what we needed, 100 pitches, seven innings, five hits," Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said. "It's a good outing."
Jacoby Ellsbury added two hits, including a solo homer, and scored twice for the Red Sox, who took three of four in the set.
Alex Gordon hit safely twice and drove in the lone run for the Royals, who have dropped four of five overall.
Luke Hochevar (7-12) went the distance in defeat, charged with eight hits and five runs -- all but one earned -- fanning six and walking one.
The Sox picked up two runs in the home third to take the lead for good. Scott Podsednik and Dustin Pedroia hit consecutive one-out singles, then a passed ball moved both runners up ahead of Ross' two-run single for a 3-1 contest.
In the sixth, Ellsbury doubled then scored on a Ross double and when James Loney followed with a base hit, the hosts moved ahead by a 5-1 count.
Matsuzaka allowed runners in every inning except the second. Aside from allowing a first-inning run, the only other frame that the Royals threatened to score was the sixth.
Gordon doubled and Billy Butler walked, and when Salvador Perez fouled out, Gordon moved to third. Matsuzaka fanned Mike Moustakas swinging to end the inning, then tossed a scoreless seventh to end his day.
"What he did today and what he did effectively was he threw his slider inside on right-handers really well. He executed that pitch well a number of times," Royals manager Ned Yost said.
Clayton Mortensen and Vicente Padilla held the fort in the eighth, with the latter inducing an inning-ending double-play grounder from Perez.
Andrew Bailey worked around a walk to Lorenzo Cain to finish off the victory.
Both teams tallied in the opening inning, as Gordon's fly to right plated Jarrod Dyson, and Ellsbury managed to hit a ball off the low wall in right which ricocheted into the crowd.
Game Notes
Matsuzaka earned his first win since May 8, 2011, a 9-5 decision against Minnesota ... Prior to the game, the Sox placed designated hitter David Ortiz on the 15-day DL, recalled outfielder Ryan Kalish and optioned pitcher Pedro Beato to Triple-A Pawtucket ... Hochevar is winless in his last five starts, dating back to an 8-3 win over Cleveland on July 31.
- KANSAS CITY: 1
BOSTON: 5
Final
Aug 27 4:12 PM - James Loney singled to left scoring Cody Ross with one out. Runner on first and Jarrod Saltalamacchia due up.
Royals 1, Red Sox 5 Bot 6, 1 OutAug 27 3:26 PM - Cody Ross doubled to left scoring Jacoby Ellsbury with one out. Runner on second and James Loney due up.
Royals 1, Red Sox 4 Bot 6, 1 OutAug 27 3:24 PM - Cody Ross singled to left scoring Scott Podsednik and Dustin Pedroia with two out. On the play, Cody Ross thrown out at second, left to second to end the inning.
Royals 1, Red Sox 3 End 3Aug 27 2:34 PM - Jacoby Ellsbury two-out, solo Home Run (2) to right. Cody Ross due up.
Royals 1, Red Sox 1 Bot 1, 2 OutsAug 27 1:56 PM - Alex Gordon sacrifice fly out to right scored Jarrod Dyson with two out. None on and Billy Butler due up.
Royals 1, Red Sox 0 Top 1, 2 OutsAug 27 1:56 PM - KANSAS CITY: 0
BOSTON: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Aug 27 1:56 PM
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