Royals 4, Red Sox 3
Alex Gordon homered and drove in two runs to back James Shields as host Kansas City took the finale of a four-game set against Boston.
Jarrod Dyson and David Lough each added an RBI single for the Royals, who have won 16 of their last 19 to stay within 4 1/2 games of the Oakland Athletics for the second wild-card spot in the American League.
John Lackey (7-10) recovered from a rough start to go seven innings but was charged with four runs on seven hits as Boston's lead over Tampa Bay in the American League East was trimmed to 2 1/2 games. Ryan Lavarnway recorded two hits and two RBIs for Boston, which dropped three of four in the series.
The Red Sox took the lead with a run in the top of the first but gave it right back as Gordon singled to plate Lough in the bottom of the frame. Mike Moustakas led off the second with a double and scored on Dyson’s single before Lough’s base hit made it 3-1.
Gordon ripped a solo blast to right in the third and Shields (7-8) took it from there, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits in seven innings. Tim Collins and Aaron Crow combined on a scoreless eighth before Greg Holland worked a perfect ninth for his 32nd save.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Boston SS Stephen Drew extended his hitting streak to 12 games. … Kansas City activated C Salvador Perez (concussion) from the seven-day disabled list and designated C Brett Hayes for assignment. The Royals also placed INF Miguel Tejada (right calf strain) on the 15-day DL, recalled INF Irving Falu from Triple-A Omaha, reinstated RHP Wade Davis from the family emergency list and optioned LHP Donnie Joseph to Omaha. … The Red Sox get Monday off before continuing their road trip at Toronto. Kansas City will host the Miami Marlins on Monday.