Sep 11, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (11) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
After getting swept my the Orioles at home, the Red Sox went to Kansas City to face the Royals. KC is currently in first place in the AL Central and things look good for them to make the playoffs. The Red Sox are in dead last place. Not the ideal situation to be in in September.
Clay Buchholz took the mound for the Red Sox. The once reliable fixture in the rotation has been uneven lately. Thursday night he lasted 6.1 innings during which he gave up six hits and three runs (two of which were earned). He walked three and struck out seven Royals. His ERA is now a less-than-remarkable 5.19.
Tommy Layne and Junichi Tazawa combined to finish the seventh inning and get through the eighth without allowing so much as a single hit, let alone a run.
Edward Mujica was brought in to finish the game with a 6-3 lead. He got the Royals to go down in order and earned his fifth save of the season.
On the offensive side of things, Mookie Betts, David Ortiz, and Will Middlebrooks each had a pair of hits and an RBI. Mike Napoli also picked up an RBI. Jemile Weeks played second base in the absence of Dustin Pedroia who had surgery on his hand. Brock Holt was sent to a concussion specialist in Pittsburgh while Xander Bogaerts played shortstop.
The Red Sox play the Royals again Friday night. Allen Webster (3-3, 6.47 ERA) goes against Yordano Ventura (12-9, 3.25 ERA). The Royals are clinging to a half game lead over the Tigers for the AL Central crown.