Alex Verdugo is congratulated in the dugout after scoring on a double by Rafael Devers in the first inning Saturday night against the Kansas City Royals. The Red Sox won, 9-5. Reed Hoffman/Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Triston Casas hit a two-run homer and Alex Verdugo finished a homer short of hitting for the cycle as the Boston Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 9-5 on Saturday night.
Six Boston batters drove in a run and all but one Red Sox starter had a hit. Boston snapped a five-game skid with the win despite allowing at least four runs for the 12th time in 13 games.
Tanner Houck (4-8) worked five innings and gave up four runs and seven hits while walking one and striking out five.
Royals starter Alec March (0-8) was knocked out of the game early after allowing six runs on seven hits. He walked two and struck out one in 2⅔ innings.
Kansas City has lost 11 of its last 13 games. The Royals haven’t won a series since Aug. 3 and need a victory in the series finale on Sunday to end the skid.
The Red Sox capped a three-run first inning with Casas’ two-run homer to right field. Boston had four extra-base hits in the inning. Casas went 2 for 4 with two RBI and two runs scored.
MJ Melendez homered for Kansas City. Maikel Garcia, MJ Melendez and Nelson Velazquez also drove in runs.
YOST TO THE HALL OF FAME
Prior to the game, former manager Ned Yost was inducted into the Royals Hall of Fame. He led Kansas City to a World Series championship in 2015 and has the highest postseason winning percentage in MLB history.
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