The Boston Red Sox opened up their latest three-game home series with a 2-1 win over the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park on Friday.
The Red Sox improved to 70-74, while the Royals fell to 57-88.
Check out the full box score here.
ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
Michael Wacha fell short of a win during a pitching duel against Royals starter Jonathan Heasley, however, the offense would make up for things in the late innings.
As he has throughout the majority of his debut Red Sox campaign, Wacha delivered yet another dominant outing on the mound. On Friday, Wacha provided seven innings of one-run ball against the Royals, marking his fifth consecutive six-plus inning start this season — dating back to Aug. 26 against the Tampa Bay Rays.
It was yet another showing by Wacha at positioning the lineup for success.
Unlike Wacha and the bullpen, the Red Sox were completely silenced at the plate for most of the night, regardless of who took the mound for the Royals. Boston broke through in the eighth inning, delivering a crucial two-run rally on a night where the lineup totaled three base hits with eight total strikeouts.
STARS OF THE GAME
— J.D. Martinez delivered the game-deciding run — the third Red Sox hit of the night — in the eighth inning with a two-out single. Martinez finished 1-for-3 at the plate.
— Wacha tossed seven innings while allowing one run on seven hits and no walks with four total strikeouts.
— Heasley came through strong for the Royals. The 25-year-old righty shut out the Red Sox through 6 2/3 innings, allowing just two hits and three walks while striking out five hitters.
WAGER WATCH
DraftKings Sportsbook set Wacha’s Over/Under walk total at 1.5 with the Under at -210 odds entering Friday’s matchup. The 31-year-old right-hander walked zero Royals hitters in his latest start. A $100 bet would have amounted to a $147.62 total.
ON DECK AT NESN
The Red Sox and Royals continue their three-game series on Saturday. First pitch from Fenway Park is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET, and you can catch the game, along with an hour of pregame coverage, live on NESN.
