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Red Sox shoot for another win in Kansas City

Jun 20, 2015 - 1:36 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Boston Red Sox try to make it three in a row on Saturday as they clash with the Kansas City Royals in the middle game of a three-game set at Kauffman Stadium.

The only team in the American League East with a negative scoring differential (minus-53) entering the weekend, it only makes sense that Boston is bringing up the rear in the division standings, nine games out of contention even with last night's 7-3 victory.

During the win, the Sox pummeled Kansas City pitchers with 16 hits, four of those coming from Mookie Betts, while Hanley Ramirez, Mike Napoli, Blake Swihart and Pablo Sandoval, the latter getting back in the lineup after being pulled on Thursday night, each had a pair. Ramirez, Napoli and Swihart each had two RBI as well.

Boston starter Eduardo Rodriguez captured his third win in four decisions as he allowed just a single run on six hits and a walk, striking out five over 6 1/3 innings of work following a rough performance in his previous outing.

"Yeah, a bounce-back start for him, no doubt," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "Three quality pitches tonight for strikes, but most importantly, his fastball location was outstanding for the time he was on the mound. We put up the five runs, and he pitches as if it's a nothing-nothing game."

Yohan Pino suffered the loss for the Royals, a team which continues to pace the American League Central by 2 1/2 games over the surging Minnesota Twins. The hurler was charged with six runs on 11 hits and a walk, without the benefit of a single strikeout over 5 1/3 innings.

Kendrys Morales and Eric Hosmer both tallied a pair of hits, the latter delivering his eighth home run, a solo shot. Christian Colon and Omar Infante also crossed the plate for the hosts. Now hitting just .228,

Now on with his sixth different club since breaking into the majors with Texas back in 2005, Edinson Volquez prepares to face the Red Sox for just the third time ever.

The right-hander has won two straight and four of his last five decisions, thanks to an 8-5 triumph over Milwaukee on the road earlier in the week. Against the Brewers Volquez permitted only two runs on six hits and two walks, fanning a pair, in five innings of action.

Since early May the hurler has also been dealt three no-decisions in games that Kansas City eventually won.

Meanwhile, Boston is hoping Rick Porcello can finally turn the corner and get back on the winning track. The former Detroit Tiger, who has a career mark of 8-5 with a 4.30 ERA in 19 previous appearances against the Royals, has not won in more than a month, losing five straight along the way.

Monday saw the hurler give up four runs on six hits and a walk, striking out five, in 6 1/3 innings against Atlanta. During this slide, Porcello has been charged with giving up 24 earned runs over a combined 31 innings.