[OmahaBaseball]

An extra-innings game that turned on relief pitching and the longball. The visiting Kansas City Royals (54-43) secured the 8 to 6 victory over the Boston Red Sox (52-43) in the 13-inning battle that lasted 5 hours (5:01).

Kansas City starter Seth Lugo did not record a decision, allowing 5 earned runs on 11 hits while striking out 6 in 6 2/3 innings of work; Game Score 38. Will Smith tossed a solid 2 1/3 innings of relief in which he scattered 1 hits and 1 walk before turning the ball over to closer James McArthur (BS 6) who blew the save opportunity by permitting 1 earned run on 1 hits, 1 walk, and 1 hit batsman in 2 2/3 innings. Daniel Lynch IV (3-0) picked up the win for his scoreless 1 1/3 innings of play. Leading the way at the plate were Bobby Witt Jr. (3 for 6, Homerun, 2 Runs, 2 RBI, Walk, Stolen Base), Maikel Garcia (4 for 5, 2 Doubles, Run, Walk, Sacrifice Bunt), and Hunter Renfroe (2 for 7, Homerun, 2 Runs, RBI).

Like his counterpart, Jack Flaherty did not record a decision. On the day, Flaherty permitted 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits, 6 walks, and 1 wild pitch while striking out 8 in 6 2/3 innings of work; Game Score 56. The Ryne Stanek experiment is not working out so well, as he was tagged for 2 earned runs on 3 hits and 1 walk in 1 1/3 innings - raising his ERA to 6.23 on the season. The previously untouchable Liam Hendriks was also tagged with some damage, as he permitted 1 earned run on 2 hits in 2 innings which broke his 10 consecutive appearance "shut down" streak. Nick Pivetta was solid in his 2 innings of scoreless ball, but it was Justin Slaten (1-2) who was saddled with the loss after he served up 2 earned runs on 2 hits (both homeruns) in his 1 inning of play. At the plate, Boston was led by Rafael Devers (4 for 7, Run), Vaughn Grissom (3 for 5, Run, Stolen Base), and Kyle Teel (1 for 4, 2 RBI, Walk, Sacrifice Bunt).

Player of the Game: Bobby Witt Jr.

AL East Standings: 1st Place, 2 Game Lead