Final: Red Sox 5, Royals 4 - Red Sox end first half of the season with a series victory against the Royals

Trevor's Game Notes:

Attacking the Starter: The Red Sox defeated the Kansas City Royals to wrap up the first half of the 2024 MLB Season. After Red Sox Starter Brayan Bello allowed a leadoff home run to Adam Frazier, Boston responded with home runs from Rafael Devers and Dom Smith in consecutive innings to turn the game 4-1. 

Brady Singer was the starter for the Royals, allowing 4 earned runs in only 2.2 innings pitched. The Red Sox were able to collect 8 hits off Singer, who left the game throwing around 90 pitches. Overall, Boston recorded 14 hits in the game, with Devers, Smith and Jarren Duran doing most of the damage. Despite not recording an RBI, Duran collected four hits including an impressive hustle double to start the game in the 1st inning. Smith would come up clutch in the bottom of the 8th with an RBI single bringing Devers home from 2nd. This third RBI helped Boston gain a more comfortable lead heading into the 9th. 

Trust in the pitching: After allowing a leadoff home run, Bello had a dominate start that saw him pitch into the 7th inning. Bello would allow two more runs in the game including another home run to All-Star Catcher Salvador Perez. Midway through the 7th, Bello was taken out of the game for Brennan Bernardino who shut the door that inning. Cora decided to pitch Kenley Jansen in the 8th inning, trusting his closer to give the Red Sox six outs. Jansen was able to record the save striking out the side in the 8th inning and allowing one run in the 9th. 

After the All-Star break, Boston will head to Los Angeles to face off against the Dodgers on Friday at 10:10.

WHO: Red Sox (52-42) vs. Kansas City Royals (52-44)
WHEN: 1:35 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston
SERIES TO DATE: 1-1 (1-1/0-0)
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Brayan Bello (9-5, 5.40) vs. RHP Brady Singer (5-5, 2.93)
TV/RADIO: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7

LIVE BOX

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Jarren Duran (L) CF
David Hamilton (L) 2B
Masataka Yoshida (L) DH
Rafael Devers (L) 3B
Tyler O'Neill (R) LF
Wilyer Abreu (L) RF
Dominic Smith (L) 1B
Reese McGuire (L) C
Ceddanne Rafaela (R) SS

SP Brayan Bello

ROYALS

Adam Frazier (L) 3B
Bobby Witt Jr. (R) SS
Vinnie Pasquantino (L) 1B
Salvador Perez (R) DH
Michael Massey (L) 2B
Hunter Renfroe (R) RF
MJ Melendez (L) LF
Freddy Fermin (R) C
Kyle Isbel (L) CF

SP Brady Singer

WHAT'S UP

The Red Sox defeated the Royals yesterday, 5-0, to even the 3-game series. Kutter Crawford tossed 7.0 scoreless innings (2 H, BB, 4 SO). Zack Kelly pitched the final 2.0 frames (2 H, 2 SO). Rafael Devers (2-for-4, 2 R) hit a solo HR in the 5th inning. Dom Smith (2-for-4, R, 2 RBI), Reese McGuire (2-for-4 2B, RBI), and Jarren Duran (2-for-4, 2B) also recorded multiple hits.

Yesterday was Boston's 11th shutout win, most in the AL and tied with ATL for most in MLB. BOS in 2023 recorded 5 shutout wins, tied for fewest in the AL.

Boston today concludes its 1st half with the final of a 6-game homestand vs. OAK (2-1) and KC (1-1). They are 10-7 in their last 17 home games.

Marcelo Mayer and Kyle Teel yesterday represented the American League in the 2024 All-Star Futures Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX. Both Mayer (SS) and Teel (C) entered the game defensively in the 5th inning. Teel went 2-for-2 with 2 doubles. OF Roman Anthony won the Futures Skills Showcase.

With a win today, Boston would secure its 4th-straight series win and improve to 16-10-5 in series play, including 8-5-3 at home. The Red Sox are 9-2 in rubber games this season, including 6-0 at home.