Recap - Sox drop opener to Royals

Jim Monaghan
Contributing writer

No late Red Sox magic in Kansas City tonight. Jon Lester struggled mightily in a 44-pitch, 3-run first inning as the Royals beat Boston 5-1 in the opening game of a four-game series at Kauffman Stadium.

Lester (pictured) gave up a leadoff double and combined with a single, and a pair of walks. Throw in an error by Jonny Gomes and you had the beginning of another long night for the Red Sox lefty who somehow managed to last through seven innings. The box score will tell you it was a quality start (7 IP, 3 R (1 earned), 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K) but the first inning ultimately proved insurmountable for a Boston offense that managed just seven hits.

Bruce Chen got the win for the Royals who have now won fourteen of their last sixteen games and are squarely in the race for a wild card spot.

Jacoby Ellsbury and Stephen Drew each had two hits for the Red Sox.

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