{"id":19440,"date":"2026-05-18T19:43:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T02:43:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=19440"},"modified":"2026-05-18T19:43:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T02:43:28","slug":"red-sox-pitching-staff-helps-win-over-royals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2026\/05\/18\/red-sox-pitching-staff-helps-win-over-royals\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Sox Pitching Staff Helps Win Over Royals"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Boston Red Sox<\/a> win 3-1 over the Kansas City Royals<\/a> Monday inside Kauffman Stadium. The Red Sox pitching staff excelled, as Sonny Gray<\/a> went six innings while striking out a season-high nine batters and allowing one run. Seth Lugo<\/a> got the loss, going six innings as well, giving up two runs on five hits and two walks.<\/p>\n

Red Sox-Royals Game Summary<\/h3>\n

The Royals nearly scored in the second inning when Jac Caglianone<\/a> lined a one-out double down the right field line. The only thing that stopped it was Salvador Perez<\/a>‘s lack of foot speed. Gray managed to get the next two outs unscathed.<\/p>\n

Once again, the Royals threatened in the fifth inning after Masataka Yoshida<\/a> missed a fly ball that turned into a double for Michael Massey<\/a>. Kyle Isbel<\/a> knocked a single to left field, as Massey went for home. Yoshida, looking to make up for the prior play, gunned Massey down at home to keep the game scoreless.<\/p>\n

In the top of the sixth, the Red Sox finally broke through. Off a Lugo sinker, Willson Contreras<\/a> drove it 435 feet to take a 2-0 lead. Jarren Duran<\/a> added to it in the seventh with a sacrifice fly ball.<\/p>\n

Caglianone once again ripped a double, this time scoring Carter Jensen<\/a> from first to make it 3-1. Justin Slaten<\/a> took over immediately after and held the score at 3-1. Garrett Whitlock<\/a> took the eighth, and Aroldis Chapman<\/a> took the ninth.<\/p>\n

What Went Right for the Red Sox<\/h2>\n

Pitching Staff Dealing<\/h3>\n

Despite the Royals performing much better at home than on the road, Gray delivered a more than serviceable performance. That, paired with some great plays in the field, helped keep the Royals at bay.<\/p>\n

What Went Wrong for the Red Sox<\/h2>\n

Offense Could’ve Done More<\/h3>\n

The Red Sox still struggled mightily with runners on base. They got baserunners on in every inning except the first, yet they left nine runners on base.<\/p>\n

Looking Ahead<\/h3>\n

The next game of the series is on Tuesday at 7:40 p.m. ET. Ranger Suarez<\/a> will take the bump for the Red Sox. It is still to be determined who will start for the Royals.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>