Witt, Melendez both homer to help Royals beat Red Sox 6-1 for 4th straight win
Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. (7) celebrates after his solo home run with Vinnie Pasquantino (9) during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Friday, July 12, 2024, in Boston. Credit: AP/Michael Dwyer
BOSTON — Bobby Witt Jr. and MJ Melendez each had solo home runs, Cole Ragans allowed one run over seven innings and the Kansas City Royals beat the Boston Red Sox-6-1 on Friday night for their fourth consecutive victory.
Adam Frazier, Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez all added RBIs for Kansas City, which opened the three-game series a game back of Boston for the AL’s final wild-card spot.
It was the 16th homer of the season for Witt, an All-Star who will be competing in Monday’s Home Run Derby.
Ragans (6-6) struck out seven and allowed four hits to earn his first victory since June 24 at Miami.
Ceddanne Rafaela had an RBI for the Red Sox.
Cooper Criswell (3-4) threw a career-high 104 pitches over six innings, yielding eight hits and five runs, but only two – including Witt’s home run – were earned.
The Royals opened the game with three consecutive singles to load the bases with no outs, and then took a 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly by Perez. But Criswell got Michael Massey on a groundout and Hunter Renfroe on a flyout to get out of the inning.
Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. (7) celebrates after his solo home run with Vinnie Pasquantino (9) as Boston Red Sox catcher Connor Wong, right, kneels at home plate during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Friday, July 12, 2024, in Boston. Credit: AP/Michael Dwyer
Criswell’s luck didn’t last.
In the second inning Kansas City took advantage of a fielding error by first baseman Romy Gonzalez, plus a walk and hit batter by Criswell to add three unearned runs and increase the lead to 4-0.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Red Sox: Placed RHP Justin Slaten on the 15-day IL retroactive to July 9 with right elbow inflammation. The reliever is 5-2 with a 3.38 ERA in 31 games this season. LHP Cam Booser was called up from Triple-A Worcester to take the roster spot.
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans throws against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, July 12, 2024, in Boston. Credit: AP/Michael Dwyer
UP NEXT
Royals: RHP Seth Lugo (11-3, 2.21 ERA) has the lowest ERA by a Royal over his first 19 starts with the franchise. He is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in three career appearances against Boston.
Red Sox: RHP Kutter Crawford (5-7, 3.24) is making his 19th start of the season. He’s lost both of his career starts against Kansas City, tallying an 8.64 ERA.
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