Bobby Witt Jr. homered twice and drove in four runs on Wednesday, leading the Kansas City Royals past the visiting Boston Red Sox 8-4 to salvage the finale of a three-game series.
Cole Ragans (9-7) allowed four runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks over 6 1/3 innings for Kansas City. The left-hander struck out seven and collected his fourth win over his last five starts.
Boston starter Kutter Crawford (7-9) tossed 3 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on five hits and four walks with three strikeouts. He allowed Witt’s first home run, a one-out solo shot in the first to open the scoring.
Crawford has surrendered 13 homers in his last four starts and leads the majors with 27 home runs allowed.
Witt and Vinnie Pasquantino, who are tied for third in the American League with 84 RBIs, both supplied two in the Royals’ five-run fourth inning.
MJ Melendez drew an 11-pitch walk to open the frame and scored on Crawford’s wild pitch with one out to pull Kansas City within 4-3.
Witt put the Royals ahead with a two-out, two-run double into the right field corner on an 0-2 pitch, which chased Crawford from the game.
Pasquantino promptly hit reliever Brennan Bernardino’s second pitch into the right field bullpen for a two-run homer and a 7-4 lead.
Witt closed the scoring in the sixth inning with his second solo shot of the night and 22nd of the season.
With the win, the Royals increased their lead to 1 1/2 games over Boston for the AL’s final wild-card spot.
Michael Massey’s RBI single put Kansas City up 2-0 in the second inning before his throwing error helped the Red Sox rally in the third.
Massey’s mistake put two runners on with none out, and Romy González eventually connected for a two-out, three-run homer, his fourth this season.
Boston boosted its lead to 4-2 on Danny Jansen’s homer to lead off the fourth.
Red Sox right-hander Chris Martin was activated from the injured list and struck out three in a scoreless eighth.