Red Sox  1    Royals  5

Recap: Kansas City vs. Boston

Sports Network | September 23, 2009

Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Zack Greinke gave up just two hits over six innings of work to win his fourth straight decision, as the Kansas City Royals crushed the Boston Red Sox, 5-1, in the second test of a four-game set.

Greinke (15-8) also fanned five batters and walked three, and has now given up just one earned run over his last 35 innings. The 25-year-old righty lowered his MLB-best ERA to 2.08. Joakim Soria notched his 28th save in the ninth.

"I don't feel like our team is that bad," said Greinke. "We've been playing good lately, but bad through the course of the season."

Alberto Callaspo went 3-for-3, drove in a run and scored for the Royals, who won their third straight game. Alex Gordon drove in a pair of runs in the win.

Paul Byrd (1-2) took the loss after surrendering five runs on nine hits with four walks over 6 2/3 innings of work.

Despite the loss, Boston's lead in the wild card race remained at seven games over Texas. The Red Sox also fell six games behind the Yankees for the lead in the AL East.

Victor Martinez went 1-for-4 and drove in a run to increase his hitting streak to a career-best 21 games for the Red Sox, who have dropped back-to-back games for the first time since September 4-5. Dustin Pedroia had the only other hit for Boston.

Kansas City got all the offense it would need in the first inning. David DeJesus and Mitch Maier started the frame off with singles and Billy Butler walked to load the bases.

Mike Jacobs then drew a walk to force in a run, Callaspo followed with an RBI single and Mark Teahen grounded out to plate a run. After Miguel Olivo flied out, Gordon singled to left to knock in two runs and make it 5-0.

"Against Greinke, you don't want to be down 5-0," said Byrd. "It deflates the team. I'm real frustrated with myself. But I'm glad I came back and threw some innings to help the bullpen out. I'm not here to eat innings. That's not my job. I'm here to get on the mound and to give our team a chance to win. Tonight I didn't do that."

The pitchers cruised from there, until the Sox struck in the eighth. Jacoby Ellsbury drew a one-out walk off Roman Colon and advanced to second on a balk. Pedroia then walked and both runners stole a base. Martinez's groundout scored Ellsbury as Boston avoided the shutout.

The next Boston win will be the team's 560th with Terry Francona at the helm. The win will put Francona in a second-place tie with Mike Higgins among the club's all-time leaders among managers. Joe Cronin has the top spot with 1,071...Greinke had never beaten the Red Sox in his career. In two starts and one relief appearance against Boston coming in, Greinke was 0-2 with a 3.45 ERA...The Red Sox took three of four games from the Royals when these teams squared off at Fenway Park from July 9-12. Boston has also won in four of its last seven visits to Kauffman Stadium and is 9-4 in its 13 most recent overall clashes with Kansas City.