The Boston Red Sox<\/a> took game two of the series with a 7\u20131 win over the Kansas City Royals<\/a> on Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium. In a matchup that leaned heavily on both bullpens, the Red Sox scored four runs in the ninth to put the game out of reach.<\/p>\n Both teams scored in the first inning. Willson Contreras<\/a><\/strong> delivered an RBI single, while Lane Thomas<\/a><\/strong> lined a double down the right\u2011field line to even the score at 1\u20131.<\/p>\n Caleb Durbin<\/a><\/strong> added an RBI single in the second to give the Red Sox the lead. They loaded the bases with one out but did not add on. Bailey Falter<\/a><\/strong> lasted only two innings before Luinder Avila<\/a><\/strong> entered in the third.<\/p>\n Back\u2011to\u2011back hits from Carter Jensen<\/a><\/strong> and Maikel Garcia<\/a><\/strong> ended Ranger Su\u00e1rez\u2019s outing after 4 1\/3 innings. Garcia was thrown out trying to take second on the play. The Red Sox defense prevented the Royals from scoring in the fifth.<\/p>\n Ceddanne Rafaela<\/a><\/strong> opened the eighth with a double and moved to third on a deep flyout by Wilyer Abreu<\/a><\/strong>. With the infield in, Contreras drove him home with a groundout to third, extending the lead to 3\u20131.<\/p>\n Justin Slaten<\/a><\/strong>, Garrett Whitlock<\/a><\/strong>, and Aroldis Chapman<\/a><\/strong> were lined up to pitch for the second straight game. Slaten and Whitlock handled the seventh and eighth innings. Chapman was not needed for the ninth.<\/p>\n Nick Sogard<\/a><\/strong> was thrown out at home on a single by Mickey Gasper<\/a><\/strong>. However, Jarren Duran<\/a><\/strong> erased the missed opportunity. He turned on a 1\u20132 fastball and sent it into the right\u2011field corner for his fifth home run of the season, a three\u2011run shot that made it 6\u20131. Contreras added an RBI single to push the lead to 7\u20131.<\/p>\n Jovani Moran<\/a><\/strong> pitched the ninth thanks to the Red Sox State Farm-worthy insurance.<\/p>\n After Su\u00e1rez exited, the relievers controlled the game. All five recorded important outs and prevented the Royals from mounting a rally.<\/p>\n In Roman Anthony<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s absence, Duran reached base four times and provided late insurance. He finished 2\u2011for\u20113 with two walks and the decisive home run.<\/p>\n The Red Sox had two runners thrown out while trying to take extra bases. Duran and Sogard are typically aggressive runners, but the Royals executed defensively.<\/p>\n The series concludes Wednesday at 7:40 p.m. Eastern. Connelly Early<\/a><\/strong> and Michael Wacha<\/a><\/strong> will start the finale.<\/p>\nRed Sox-Royals Game Summary<\/h3>\n
Red Sox Ninth\u2011Inning Surge<\/h3>\n
What Went Right for the Red Sox<\/h3>\n
Bullpen Steps Up<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Duran\u2019s All\u2011Around Impact<\/strong><\/h4>\n
What Went Wrong for the Red Sox<\/h3>\n
Baserunning Outs<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Looking Ahead<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Main Photo:<\/h4>\n