GAME THREAD: AL: KANSAS CITY (39-52) at BOSTON (55-36)

AL: KANSAS CITY at BOSTON

<div class="pre">KANSAS CITY (0) VS BOSTON (4) - MID 8TH - IN PROGRESS

KANSAS CITY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
D DeJesus cf 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .276
M Grudzielanek 2b 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .276
M Teahen rf 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .286
B Butler dh 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .303
E Brown lf 3 0 2 0 0 1 0 .237
E German 3b 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 .281
A Gordon 1b 2 0 0 0 0 2 2 .230
a-R Sanders ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .380
J Buck c 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .245
T Pena Jr ss 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 .272

Totals 24 0 3 0 1 6 8

a-singled to center for A Gordon in the 8th.

BATTING: Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - T Pena Jr 2. GIDP - M
Grudzielanek, E German, J Buck. Team LOB - 3.

FIELDING: E - E Brown (2, fly ball).


BOSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Drew rf 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .257
D Pedroia 2b 3 2 2 1 0 0 0 .313
D Ortiz dh 3 1 1 2 0 0 0 .323
M Ramirez lf 3 1 1 1 0 0 0 .289
K Youkilis 1b 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .317
M Lowell 3b 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .301
J Varitek c 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .275
C Crisp cf 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .266
J Lugo ss 3 0 1 0 0 2 2 .211

Totals 27 4 6 4 0 5 6

BATTING: HR - D Pedroia (4, 4th inning off B Bannister 0 on, 1 Out), M Ramirez
(13, 4th inning off B Bannister 0 on, 2 Out), D Ortiz (16, 6th inning off B
Bannister 1 on, 1 Out). RBI - D Pedroia (27), M Ramirez (53), D Ortiz 2 (59).
2-out RBI - M Ramirez. Team LOB - 2.

BASERUNNING: Picked Off - J Lugo (1st base, B Bannister).

FIELDING: DP: 3 (D Pedroia-K Youkilis-J Lugo, K Gabbard-J Lugo-K Youkilis 2).



----------------------------------------------------
KANSAS CITY - 000 000 00 -- 0
BOSTON - 000 202 0 -- 4
----------------------------------------------------

KANSAS CITY ip h r er bb so hr era
B Bannister 6 5 4 4 0 3 3 3.87
N Musser 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 5.12

BOSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
K Gabbard 8 3 0 0 1 6 0 3.49

HBP - D DeJesus (by K Gabbard); J Buck (by K Gabbard). Pitches-strikes: B
Bannister 95-60; N Musser 16-10; K Gabbard 93-61. Ground balls-fly balls: B
Bannister 3-11; N Musser 0-1; K Gabbard 15-3. Batters faced: B Bannister 23; N
Musser 4; K Gabbard 27.

UMPIRES: HP--Charlie Reliford. 1B--Greg Gibson. 2B--Larry Vanover. 3B--Tony
Randazzo.

Weather: 75 degrees, clear. Wind: 7 mph, out to left.</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at BOSTON

<div class="pre">AL AT BOSTON - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: M Teahen at first base.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 0
BOSTON 4 BOTTOM, 8TH

DUE UP FOR BOSTON: J Drew (.257, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at BOSTON

<div class="pre">AL AT BOSTON - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: R Sanders in right field.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 0
BOSTON 4 BOTTOM, 8TH

DUE UP FOR BOSTON: J Drew (.257, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at BOSTON

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
KANSAS CITY 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1
BOSTON 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 4 7 0 (TOP 9)

CURRENT PITCHERS: KAN - NEAL MUSSER
BOS - KASON GABBARD

DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: D DEJESUS (.276, 0-FOR-2, HBP)
M GRUDZIELANEK (.276, 0-FOR-3)
M TEAHEN (.286, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at BOSTON

<div class="pre">KANSAS CITY (0) VS BOSTON (4) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS

KANSAS CITY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
D DeJesus cf 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .276
M Grudzielanek 2b 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .276
M Teahen rf-1b 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .286
B Butler dh 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .303
E Brown lf 3 0 2 0 0 1 0 .237
E German 3b 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 .281
A Gordon 1b 2 0 0 0 0 2 2 .230
a-R Sanders ph-rf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .380
J Buck c 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .245
T Pena Jr ss 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 .272

Totals 24 0 3 0 1 6 8

a-singled to center for A Gordon in the 8th.

BATTING: Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - T Pena Jr 2. GIDP - M
Grudzielanek, E German, J Buck. Team LOB - 3.

FIELDING: E - E Brown (2, fly ball).


BOSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Drew rf 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 .259
D Pedroia 2b 4 2 2 1 0 0 1 .312
D Ortiz dh 4 1 1 2 0 0 1 .322
M Ramirez lf 4 1 1 1 0 0 1 .288
K Youkilis 1b 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .317
M Lowell 3b 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .301
J Varitek c 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .275
C Crisp cf 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .266
J Lugo ss 3 0 1 0 0 2 2 .211

Totals 31 4 7 4 0 5 9

BATTING: HR - D Pedroia (4, 4th inning off B Bannister 0 on, 1 Out), M Ramirez
(13, 4th inning off B Bannister 0 on, 2 Out), D Ortiz (16, 6th inning off B
Bannister 1 on, 1 Out). RBI - D Pedroia (27), M Ramirez (53), D Ortiz 2 (59).
2-out RBI - M Ramirez. Team LOB - 3.

BASERUNNING: Picked Off - J Lugo (1st base, B Bannister).

FIELDING: DP: 3 (D Pedroia-K Youkilis-J Lugo, K Gabbard-J Lugo-K Youkilis 2).



----------------------------------------------------
KANSAS CITY - 000 000 00 -- 0
BOSTON - 000 202 00 -- 4
----------------------------------------------------

KANSAS CITY ip h r er bb so hr era
B Bannister 6 5 4 4 0 3 3 3.87
N Musser 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 4.87

BOSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
K Gabbard 8 3 0 0 1 6 0 3.49

HBP - D DeJesus (by K Gabbard); J Buck (by K Gabbard). Pitches-strikes: B
Bannister 95-60; N Musser 29-18; K Gabbard 93-61. Ground balls-fly balls: B
Bannister 3-11; N Musser 1-3; K Gabbard 15-3. Batters faced: B Bannister 23; N
Musser 8; K Gabbard 27.

UMPIRES: HP--Charlie Reliford. 1B--Greg Gibson. 2B--Larry Vanover. 3B--Tony
Randazzo.

Weather: 75 degrees, clear. Wind: 7 mph, out to left.</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at BOSTON

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
KANSAS CITY 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1
BOSTON 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 x 4 7 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: KAN - BRIAN BANNISTER, NEAL MUSSER (7TH) AND JOHN BUCK

BOS - KASON GABBARD AND JASON VARITEK

HOME RUNS: KAN - NONE

BOS - DUSTIN PEDROIA (4) OFF BRIAN BANNISTER IN THE 4TH, 0 ON
MANNY RAMIREZ (13) OFF BRIAN BANNISTER IN THE 4TH, 0 ON
DAVID ORTIZ (16) OFF BRIAN BANNISTER IN THE 6TH, 1 ON</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at BOSTON

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
KANSAS CITY 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1
BOSTON 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 x 4 7 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: KAN - BRIAN BANNISTER, NEAL MUSSER (7TH) AND JOHN BUCK

BOS - KASON GABBARD AND JASON VARITEK


WP - KASON GABBARD (3-0)
LP - BRIAN BANNISTER (5-6)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: KAN - NONE

BOS - DUSTIN PEDROIA (4) OFF BRIAN BANNISTER IN THE 4TH, 0 ON
MANNY RAMIREZ (13) OFF BRIAN BANNISTER IN THE 4TH, 0 ON
DAVID ORTIZ (16) OFF BRIAN BANNISTER IN THE 6TH, 1 ON


TIME: 2:18 ATT: 37,099

PROBABLES: KAN - LEO NUNEZ (NR)
BOS - TIM WAKEFIELD (10-8, 4.47)</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at BOSTON

<div class="pre">KANSAS CITY (0) VS BOSTON (4) - FINAL

KANSAS CITY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
D DeJesus cf 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .275
M Grudzielanek 2b 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .275
M Teahen rf-1b 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 .285
B Butler dh 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .303
E Brown lf 3 0 2 0 0 1 0 .237
E German 3b 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 .281
A Gordon 1b 2 0 0 0 0 2 2 .230
a-R Sanders ph-rf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .380
J Buck c 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .245
T Pena Jr ss 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 .272

Totals 27 0 3 0 1 8 8

a-singled to center for A Gordon in the 8th.

BATTING: Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - T Pena Jr 2. GIDP - M
Grudzielanek, E German, J Buck. Team LOB - 3.

FIELDING: E - E Brown (2, fly ball).


BOSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Drew rf 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 .259
D Pedroia 2b 4 2 2 1 0 0 1 .312
D Ortiz dh 4 1 1 2 0 0 1 .322
M Ramirez lf 4 1 1 1 0 0 1 .288
K Youkilis 1b 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .317
M Lowell 3b 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .301
J Varitek c 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .275
C Crisp cf 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .266
J Lugo ss 3 0 1 0 0 2 2 .211

Totals 31 4 7 4 0 5 9

BATTING: HR - D Pedroia (4, 4th inning off B Bannister 0 on, 1 Out), M Ramirez
(13, 4th inning off B Bannister 0 on, 2 Out), D Ortiz (16, 6th inning off B
Bannister 1 on, 1 Out). RBI - D Pedroia (27), M Ramirez (53), D Ortiz 2 (59).
2-out RBI - M Ramirez. Team LOB - 3.

BASERUNNING: Picked Off - J Lugo (1st base, B Bannister).

FIELDING: DP: 3 (D Pedroia-K Youkilis-J Lugo, K Gabbard-J Lugo-K Youkilis 2).



----------------------------------------------------
KANSAS CITY - 000 000 000 -- 0
BOSTON - 000 202 00x -- 4
----------------------------------------------------

KANSAS CITY ip h r er bb so hr era
B Bannister (L, 5-6) 6 5 4 4 0 3 3 3.87
N Musser 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 4.87

BOSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
K Gabbard (W, 3-0) 9 3 0 0 1 8 0 3.37

HBP - D DeJesus (by K Gabbard); J Buck (by K Gabbard). Pitches-strikes: B
Bannister 95-60; N Musser 29-18; K Gabbard 107-71. Ground balls-fly balls: B
Bannister 3-11; N Musser 1-3; K Gabbard 15-4. Batters faced: B Bannister 23; N
Musser 8; K Gabbard 30.

UMPIRES: HP--Charlie Reliford. 1B--Greg Gibson. 2B--Larry Vanover. 3B--Tony
Randazzo.

T--2:18. Att--37,099.
Weather: 75 degrees, clear. Wind: 7 mph, out to left.</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at BOSTON

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
AL
KANSAS CITY 0
BOSTON 4 FINAL</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at BOSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
KANSAS CITY (0) AT BOSTON (4) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BOSTON 4TH: J Drew lined out to left. D Pedroia homered to left. D Ortiz
grounded out to first. M Ramirez homered to center. K Youkilis lined out to
pitcher. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 0, BOSTON 2.

BOSTON 6TH: J Drew struck out looking. D Pedroia singled to center.
D Ortiz homered to right, D Pedroia scored. M Ramirez flied out to left.
K Youkilis struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 0,
BOSTON 4.</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at BOSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
KANSAS CITY (0) AT BOSTON (4) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kansas City Starting Lineups -- D DeJesus CF, M Grudzielanek 2B, M Teahen RF,
B Butler DH, E Brown LF, E German 3B, A Gordon 1B, J Buck C, T Pena Jr SS,
B Bannister RHP.

Boston Starting Lineups -- J Drew RF, D Pedroia 2B, D Ortiz DH, M Ramirez LF,
K Youkilis 1B, M Lowell 3B, J Varitek C, C Crisp CF, J Lugo SS, K Gabbard LHP.

Umpires -- Charlie Reliford (HP), Greg Gibson (1B), Larry Vanover (2B),
Tony Randazzo (3B).

Gametime Weather: 75 degrees, Clear, wind out to left at 7 mph.


KANSAS CITY 1ST: D DeJesus grounded out to first. M Grudzielanek grounded
out to second. M Teahen struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
KANSAS CITY 0, BOSTON 0.

BOSTON 1ST: J Drew grounded out to second. D Pedroia flied out to right.
D Ortiz lined out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 0,
BOSTON 0.

KANSAS CITY 2ND: B Butler struck out looking. E Brown struck out swinging.
E German lined out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 0, BOSTON 0.

BOSTON 2ND: M Ramirez lined out to right. K Youkilis flied out to center.
M Lowell flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 0, BOSTON 0.

KANSAS CITY 3RD: A Gordon struck out looking. J Buck grounded out to
third. T Pena Jr struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 0,
BOSTON 0.

BOSTON 3RD: J Varitek grounded out to first. C Crisp flied out to right.
J Lugo reached on infield single to shortstop. J Lugo picked off first.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 0, BOSTON 0.

KANSAS CITY 4TH: D DeJesus hit by pitch. M Grudzielanek grounded into
double play, second to first to shortstop, D DeJesus out at second. M Teahen
grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 0, BOSTON 0.

BOSTON 4TH: J Drew lined out to left. D Pedroia homered to left. D Ortiz
grounded out to first. M Ramirez homered to center. K Youkilis lined out to
pitcher. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 0, BOSTON 2.

KANSAS CITY 5TH: B Butler grounded out to second. E Brown singled to
right. E German walked, E Brown to second. A Gordon struck out swinging.
J Buck hit by pitch, E Brown to third, E German to second. T Pena Jr grounded
out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 0, BOSTON 2.

BOSTON 5TH: M Lowell safe at first on error by left fielder E Brown.
J Varitek lined out to left. C Crisp flied out to center. J Lugo struck out
swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 1 Error) KANSAS CITY 0, BOSTON 2.

KANSAS CITY 6TH: D DeJesus grounded out to second. M Grudzielanek flied
out to right. M Teahen grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
KANSAS CITY 0, BOSTON 2.

BOSTON 6TH: J Drew struck out looking. D Pedroia singled to center.
D Ortiz homered to right, D Pedroia scored. M Ramirez flied out to left.
K Youkilis struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 0,
BOSTON 4.

KANSAS CITY 7TH: B Butler grounded out to third. E Brown reached on
infield single to third. E German grounded into double play, pitcher to
shortstop to first, E Brown out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
KANSAS CITY 0, BOSTON 4.

BOSTON 7TH: N Musser relieved B Bannister. M Lowell singled to center.
J Varitek struck out swinging. C Crisp lined out to center. J Lugo struck
out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 0, BOSTON 4.

KANSAS CITY 8TH: R Sanders hit for A Gordon. R Sanders singled to center.
J Buck grounded into double play, pitcher to shortstop to first, R Sanders out
at second. T Pena Jr popped out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
KANSAS CITY 0, BOSTON 4.

BOSTON 8TH: M Teahen at first base. R Sanders in right field. J Drew
singled to right. D Pedroia flied out to right. D Ortiz flied out to right.
M Ramirez grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 0,
BOSTON 4.

KANSAS CITY 9TH: D DeJesus lined out to center. M Grudzielanek struck out
swinging. M Teahen struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
KANSAS CITY 0, BOSTON 4.</div>

 

Gabbard goes the distance as Red Sox blank Royals

<h3>BOSTON 4, KANSAS CITY 0</h3>BOSTON (Ticker) -- While the disabled Curt Schilling made newsMonday with a successful simulated game, it was his replacementin the rotation who made bigger news in the game that counted.

<div class="pre">Kason Gabbard tossed a three-hitter while Dustin Pedroia, David</div>Ortiz and Manny Ramirez all homered to lead the Boston Red Soxto a 4-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park.

Gabbard (3-0) outdueled Royals right-hander Brian Bannister(5-6) as the Red Sox won for the third time in five tries on aseason-long 11-game homestand.


It was Gabbard's first career complete game and the third of theseason for Boston. Gabbard also recorded a career high eightstrikeouts.


Both starters faced the minimum through three innings with JulioLugo's infield single the only hit between the two teams.

The Red Sox used the long ball to finally break the ice in thefourth. Pedroia lined a fastball from Bannister to left fieldover the Green Monster. Pedroia's fourth homer and first sinceJune 15 was followed one out later by a tape-measure blast byRamirez to the right of the light tower in left-center.

Gabbard retired the first nine batters he faced and faced theminimum through four innings.


The only runner to reach through the first four innings wasDavid DeJesus, who was hit by a fastball leading off the fourth.He was erased when Mark Grudzielanek grounded into anunconventional 4-3-6 double play.


With one out in the fifth, Emil Brown lined a clean single toright. Esteban German walked and after an Alex Gordon strikeout,John Buck was hit by a pitch to load the bases. But Pedroiascooped up a slow chopper up the middle by Tony Pena Jr. andthrew out the shortstop to end the Royals' only threat.

The Red Sox doubled their lead in the sixth when Ortiz lined a3-2 pitch inside of Pesky's Pole in right with Pedroia on forhis team-leading 16th homer.


It was the fourth time this season and 46th time overall thatOrtiz and Ramirez have homered in the same game.


Bannister was pulled after six innings, allowing four runs onfive hits. He struck out three and allowed a season-high threehome runs. Bannister had only allowed four homers in 80 inningsbefore Monday.

 

Gabbard goes the distance as Red Sox blank Royals

<h3>BOSTON 4, KANSAS CITY 0</h3>BOSTON (Ticker) -- While the disabled Curt Schilling made newsMonday with a successful simulated game, it was his replacementin the rotation who made bigger news in the game that counted.

Kason Gabbard tossed a three-hit complete game shutout whileDustin Pedroia, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez all homered tolead the Boston Red Sox to a 4-0 victory over the Kansas CityRoyals at Fenway Park.


Gabbard (3-0) outdueled Royals right-hander Brian Bannister(5-6) as the Red Sox won for the third time in five tries on aseason-long 11-game homestand.


It was Gabbard's first career complete game at any level of proball and the third of the season for Boston. Gabbard alsorecorded a career-high eight strikeouts.


"Having (Jason) Varitek back there," Gabbard said of his catcherwhen asked the key to his success. "We went over the hittersbefore the game like we always do. He's so good at that and as apitcher, I think it makes it a lot easier to pitch. Just one ofthose things. Pitched the whole game. This is the first one(complete game) of my pro career and I'm glad it is here."

"I don't pitch," Varitek replied. "It's about them executingpitches, actually. I just try and put them in a situation that'sgoing to make them successful but I'm still not the guy withthe ball. I'm just an aid. He did all the work and I just try tomake some decision-making to make it easier."


Gabbard became the first rookie in the Majors this season tothrow a shutout and the first Boston rookie since Paul Quantrillat Seattle on July 4, 1993.


"That's a well-pitched game," Red Sox manager Terry Franconasaid. "Right from the very first inning, he established achangeup to right-handers, a breaking ball to lefties, commandedhis fastball with a lot of movement. He attacked the strikezone right from the very first inning. He got them in the swingmode, which, you have to. He's throwing everything for strikes.He pitched a very, very solid game."


Both starters faced the minimum through three innings with JulioLugo's infield single the only hit between the two teams.

The Red Sox used the long ball to finally break the ice in thefourth. Pedroia lined a fastball from Bannister to left fieldover the Green Monster. Pedroia's fourth homer and first sinceJune 15 was followed one out later by a tape-measure blast byRamirez to the right of the light tower in left-center.

Gabbard retired the first nine batters he faced and faced theminimum through four innings.


"We got just three hits off of him," Royals manager Buddy Bellsaid. "He was pretty good, pretty good and we've never seen himbefore. He looked like he threw a lot of pitches over the plateand a lot of off-speed stuff on purpose. I thought he was prettygood."


The only runner to reach through the first four innings wasDavid DeJesus, who was hit by a fastball leading off the fourth.He was erased when Mark Grudzielanek grounded into anunconventional 4-3-6 double play.


"With Gabby's sinker, you're going to get a lot of ground ballsand a lot of their guys (keep their hands) inside the ball andthey hit the ball well the other way," Pedroia said. "Theirrighties are going to hit the ball the other way so it was niceto make that play for him."


With one out in the fifth, Emil Brown lined a clean single toright. Esteban German walked and after an Alex Gordon strikeout,John Buck was hit by a pitch to load the bases. But Pedroiascooped up a slow chopper up the middle by Tony Pena Jr. andthrew out the shortstop to end the Royals' only threat.

"I was playing up the middle and got a good jump on it and Penaruns real well so it's a matter of getting to the ball as quickas I can and trying to throw him out," Pedroia said.

"That was a game-changing play right there, with the basesloaded," Francona added.


The Red Sox doubled their lead in the sixth when Ortiz lined a3-2 pitch inside of Pesky's Pole in right with Pedroia on forhis team-leading 16th homer.


"It just came down to Gabbard out-pitched me and I got my firsttaste of the 'Pesky Pole,'" Bannister said. "It was a goodexperience and they're obviously a good team and a good lineupand I made a lot of good pitches but I can count on one hand thenumber of bad pitches I made and they got every single one ofthem so you've got to give their lineup credit."


It was the fourth time this season and 46th time overall thatOrtiz and Ramirez have homered in the same game. Bannister waspulled after six innings, allowing four runs on five hits. Hestruck out three and allowed a season-high three home runs.Bannister had only allowed four homers in 80 innings beforeMonday.