James Paxton and 4 relievers mix for 7-hit shutout as Red Sox beat Royals 2-0

BOSTON — James Paxton labored 5 1/3 scoreless innings and 5 Boston pitchers mixed for the seven-hit shutout because the Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 2-0 on Thursday night time.

John Schreiber, Josh Winckowski and Chris Martin adopted Paxton, and Kenley Jansen retired the aspect so as within the ninth inning for his twenty fifth save as Boston moved 5 video games over .500 at 60-55 and took three of 4 video games from the Royals.

“Very confident handing the ball to those guys,” Paxton mentioned. “We’ve got a talented group out there and doing really well.”

For the second straight night time, the Red Sox turned to the identical 4 members of the bullpen, and with every pitcher capable of hold the Royals off the scoreboard. Winchowski, Martin and Jansen every struck out two, whereas Schreiber stranded a runner at third base to finish the sixth.

“They attacked the zone with good stuff and we were able to close it,” Red Sox supervisor Alex Cora mentioned.

Alex Verdugo hit a sacrifice fly within the fourth inning to present Boston a 1-0 lead and Adam Duvall added an RBI double within the fifth.

PHOTOS: James Paxton and 4 relievers mix for 7-hit shutout as Red Sox beat Royals 2-0

Trevor Story doubled to straightaway middle within the fourth for his first hit in 9 at-bats since getting back from the injured listing.

“He was able to catch up on a fastball on an 0-2 count after seeing all those sliders,” Cora mentioned. “The walk was also good. Just keep grinding and keep going.”

In the fifth inning as rain fell at Fenway Park, Duvall’s hit was initially dominated a foul ball by third base umpire Emil Jimenez. But Cora determined to problem the decision and it was overturned following a overview.

Paxton (7-3), who allowed three homers in his earlier begin in opposition to Toronto, scattered six hits with six strikeouts and no walks. The 34-year-old left-hander was helped by a sliding catch by Verdugo that led to an inning-ending 9-3 double play within the second.

“He saved me with that nice play,” Paxton mentioned of Verdugo’s seize and throw that doubled up Kansas City’s M.J. Melendez at first.

Austin Cox and Taylor Hearn labored the primary three innings for Kansas City (37-80). Alec Marsh (0-6) went the ultimate 5 innings, permitting two runs whereas putting out three.

“I thought he (Marsh) threw the ball well. Five innings allowing two runs, that’s a quality start right there,” mentioned Cox, who served because the opener.

The Red Sox improved to 9-1 this season sporting their yellow “City Connect” uniforms. Boston is 24-5 all-time within the uniforms.

STILL STREAKING

Maikel Garcia wasted little time extending his hitting streak to a career-best 14 video games. The Kansas City third baseman jumped on the sport’s first pitch and singled sharply on the bottom to left discipline. It’s the longest hitting streak by a KC participant since 2019, when Whit Merrifield had a 15-game run.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Red Sox: Friday will mark Chris Sale’s first begin for Boston since exiting his June 1 look with left shoulder irritation. Before Thursday’s recreation, Cora says the plan is for Sale to pitch 4 innings. “Just to have him back, that’s huge for us,” Cora mentioned. … INF Justin Turner (heel) wasn’t within the beginning lineup for the third straight recreation. He has now missed six of the previous 9 video games because the damage occurred on July 31. … Cora says there’s a superb probability that RHP Garrett Whitlock (elbow) shall be activated on Sunday. … RHP Tanner Houck (facial fracture) was alleged to make a second rehab outing for Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, however the recreation was rained out. He’s now scheduled to pitch for the WooSox on Friday.

UP NEXT

Royals: Kansas City hasn’t introduced a starter for Friday’s residence recreation in opposition to St. Louis. The Cardinals plan to begin right-hander Adam Wainwright (3-6, 7.81).

Red Sox: Continue a 10-game homestand Friday with the primary of three in opposition to Detroit. Chris Sale is scheduled to begin for Boston in opposition to Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal (2-1, 3.67).