Kutter Crawford pitched a stellar game, only allowing one hit through seven and a third innings. His performance was highlighted by his ability to throw strikes consistently, with an impressive 76 out of 96 pitches finding the zone. Crawford’s solid outing was met with appreciation from the fans as he left the field to a standing ovation after giving up a leadoff single in the eighth inning. The Red Sox would win 5-0.
Rafael Devers contributed to the Red Sox’s victory with a solo home run against Seth Lugo, who had been having a strong season up to that point. Devers’ home run marked his 22nd of the season and moved him up to 11th on the club’s all-time list for career home runs. Lugo, on the other hand, struggled in this game, giving up five runs on 10 hits in just five innings, causing his ERA to rise significantly.
The win against the Kansas City Royals extended the Red Sox’s successful run since mid-June to 19-8. The Royals, who had been on a four-game winning streak, were unable to maintain their momentum against Boston’s strong performance. With Zack Kelly closing out the game with a combined four-hitter, the Red Sox secured their 11th shutout of the season, solidifying their position as one of the top teams in the league.
The series finale between Kansas City and Boston will take place this afternoon at Fenway Park. Brady Singer, with a 5-5 record and a 2.93 ERA, will be on the mound for Kansas City, while Brayan Bello, with a 9-5 record and a 5.40 ERA, will pitch for Boston. The first pitch is scheduled for 12:35 p.m. and pregame coverage on Classic Hits KQNK will start at noon. This is the final game for the Royals before the All-Star break. The team will resume play on Friday, July 19 as the Royals host the White Sox for a 3-game series at Kauffman Stadium.
