Royals vs Red Sox recap
Royals vs Red Sox boxscore
On any other night, the Red Sox probably wouldn't have won this game.
With just three hits, the Sox beat the Royals, 1-0, behind an 8 inning performance by Jon Lester. Lester earned the win after allowing just four hits, no runs, two walks and striking out eight. It is Lester's eighth win of the season. His ERA now sits at a nifty 3.87.
Jonathan Papelbon earned his 23rd save by working a perfect 9th (one strikeout).
There wasn't much offense, but there was just enough. Dustin Pedroia doubled-in Aaron Bates in the 8th for the game's only run. Pedroia, Mark Kotsay (Bates ran for Kotsay in the 8th) and Jacoby Ellsbury (who was ejected after throwing his helmet) had the only hits for Boston.
It's hard to say this was a "good" win. It's a good win from the pitching standpoint, that's for sure. But offensively, this just isn't going to cut it. If this wasn't the Royals, odds are the Sox would have lost this game. One thing is for sure: once this All-Star break is all said and done, I hope the Sox offense is back in gear.