[OmahaBaseball]

A tough extra-innings loss for Boston, as they had this set up for the win with the reliable Liam Hendriks poised to close out the 9th inning. After 23 consecutive save opportunities, Hendriks was ineffective and the game pushed into extra-innings. In picking up the win, the American League leading Kansas City Royals (66-49) topped the Boston Red Sox (61-51) by a 4 to 3 score.

Kansas City starter Seth Lugo did not record a decision, tossing 7 innings of ball in which he allowed 2 earned runs on 8 hits and 1 wild pitch while striking out 7; Game Score 60. The Royals turned to its bullpen for help from Daniel Lynch IV (1 inning, allowed 1 earned run on 1 hit), James McArthur (2 scoreless innings, 1 hit allowed), Angel Zerpa (3 scoreless innings, 2 hits and 3 walks allowed), and winning pitcher Nick Anderson (5-5) (1 inning of scoreless/hitless play). The star of the day at the plate was Bobby Witt Jr. who hit for the CYCLE (4 for 7, Double, Triple, Homerun, 2 Runs, 2 RBI).

The Red Sox turned to starter Tanner Houck who failed to record a decision, nonetheless had a respectable showing in which he permitted 2 earned runs on 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 8 in 7 innings of work; Game Score 66. Nick Pivetta (H 5) kept things in check in his 1 inning of work, as he struck out the 3 batters he faced. Closer Liam Henrdriks (BS 1) was tagged with 2 hits and 1 walk, along with a dropped 3rd strike, that led to 1 unearned run in his 2 innings of play. Ryne Stanek provided 2 innings of relief work in which he did not permit any further damage despite permitting 3 hits and 1 walk. Garrett Cleavinger (1-1) took the loss after he served up 1 earned run on 2 hits in 1 2/3 innings of play. For Boston, Tristan Casas (4 for 6, RBI) and Jarren Duran (2 for 6, Homerun, Run, RBI) played well.

Player of the Game: Bobby Witt Jr.

AL East Standings: 1st Place, 1/2 Game Lead