Red Sox blast four HRS, Royals
Boston wins for the seventh straight time, topping K.C.
Kike Hernandez led off with a homer for the third time in five days, Nathan Eovaldi (9-4) pitched seven scoreless innings and the Boston Red Sox routed the struggling Kansas City Royals 15-1 on Thursday.
Danny Santana and Rafael Devers each homered and drove in five runs. J.D. Martinez also homered, starting Boston’s fiverun fourth with his 17th of the season. Santana connected for a three-run shot later in the inning. Devers hit his 20th of the year, a three-run blast in the sixth.
The Red Sox scored their most runs in a game this season and matched their season best with 17 hits. Four of them were homers, making it the third time in five games they have hit four.
Boston won its seventh in a row and completed a four-game sweep of the Royals, who lost their ninth straight.
Rangers 8, Athletics 3: Joey Gallo homered in his fifth straight game, Nate Lowe went deep twice and Texas pounded Oakland. Gallo finished 3-for-3 with a walk and three RBIS.
White Sox 8, Twins 5: Zack Collins hit a tiebreaking homer in the sixth inning and Chicago scored at least seven runs for the fourth straight game.
Mariners 7, Blue Jays 2: Yusei Kikuchi pitched one-run ball over seven innings, Jake Fraley and Shed Long Jr. homered off Hyun Jin Ryu and Seattle beat Toronto.
Astros 7, Indians 2: Jose Altuve hit a grand slam to briefly quiet constant booing by Cleveland fans, Yordan Alvarez and Michael Brantley homered, and Houston snapped a four-game losing streak.
Dodgers 6, Nationals 2: Max Muncy hit a grand slam to lead Los Angeles to a rain-shortened win against Washington.
Brewers 7, Pirates 2: Corbin Burnes went beyond seven innings for the first time in the majors, helping Milwaukee match its longest winning streak (nine) in seven years.
Notes: The sons are coming out for this year’s All-star Game in Denver. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. joined his father as an All-star and Fernando Tatis Jr. accomplished a feat his dad never achieved. Toronto’s first baseman and San Diego’s shortstop were among nine first-time All-stars elected Thursday to start the July 13 game at Colorado’s Coors Field. Blue Jays second baseman Marcus Semien and outfielder Teoscar Hernandez also were first-time All-stars chosen in fan voting, joined by Los Angeles Angels two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani, picked as the American League’s designated hitter; Boston third baseman Rafael Devers; Cincinnati outfielders Nick Castellanos and Jesse Winker; and Pittsburgh second baseman Adam Frazier. Injured Angels outfielder Mike Trout was elected to start for the eighth straight time, his ninth overall selection, and Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez was voted in for the fourth time and seventh appearance. St. Louis third baseman Nolan Arenado was voted to his fourth straight start and sixth appearance, in his first season after he was traded by Colorado. New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge was selected for the third time, and Boston shortstop Xander Bogaerts gained his second election to start and third appearance. San Francisco catcher Buster Posey is set for his fifth start and seventh appearance, his first since 2018. Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman was elected to his third start and fifth appearance, and Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. to his second start . ... The Los Angeles Dodgers will visit the White House on Friday to celebrate their first World Series championship in 32 years . ... The major league batting average jumped to .246 in June amid a crackdown by the commissioner’s office on foreign substances utilized by pitchers . ... Thursday’s game between Philadelphia and Miami was postponed due to rain. The game will be played July 16.