KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jon Lester loves to face the Kansas City Royals.

Lester curbed the Royals on three hits for six-plus innings and Jason Varitek tripled for the first time in more than four years as the Boston Red Sox won 6-1 on Sunday.

“My stuff at times was good and at other times I was trying to do too much, overthrowing the ball a little bit,” Lester said.

Lester (13-7) has allowed two runs and six hits in 13 innings in his past two starts to beat Kansas City and Tampa Bay. He is 5-1 with a 1.30 ERA in seven career starts against the Royals, including a no-hitter on May 19, 2008.

Carl Crawford and Darnell McDonald hit solo home runs for the Red Sox. McDonald replaced Jacoby Ellsbury, who missed his second straight game with a contusion in his back after being hit by a pitch Friday.

The Red Sox took 3 of 4 from the Royals although other starters David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis and J.D. Drew were also out with injuries.

“It’s nice to know when those guys are out you have other guys to fill in and do a good job,” Lester said. “That’s big for us, a confidence-booster definitely. Guys that filled in those spots did a good job.”

Varitek’s two-out triple rolled to the right-center fence, allowing Jed Lowrie to score in the fifth to break a scoreless deadlock. Lowrie led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a Crawford ground out. Varitek’s triple was his first since June 24, 2007 at San Diego off Jake Peavy.

How did

it feel?

“Not so good,” said Varitek, who was icing both knees at his clubhouse stall. “I’m just spacing them out. With two outs, it didn’t look like it’s something I shouldn’t have any problem getting to (third).”

Red Sox manager Terry Francona joked “speed never takes a day off.”

“It’s not like Jacoby and Carl, trust me,” the 39-year-old Varitek said.

“It’s not often you see Tek get a triple,” Lester said.

McDonald, who had three hits, hit his fifth home run of the season in the sixth on an 0-2 pitch from Royals rookie left-hander Danny Duffy (3-7). Aaron Crow gave up a home run to Crawford, his eighth, in the seventh inning.

Ryan Lavarnway, Adrian Gonzalez and Jed Lowrie had RBIs in the eighth as the Red Sox scored three runs off Louis Coleman, one of four rookie pitchers the Royals used.

Duffy gave up two runs on five hits in six innings, while striking out three and walking two. He has lost four August starts since a July 31 victory at Cleveland.

Johnny Giavotella led off the Royals seventh with a triple and scored on Mike Moustakas’ single for the only run off Lester. He was replaced by Daniel Bard after 113 pitches with two runners on base. Bard retired the next three hitters.

“It’s nothing unexpected from him,” Lester said of Bard’s performance. “He’s done it since he’s been up here. It’s big to have a guy like that in our bullpen. That’s what he’s done all year. It makes your job a little easier as a starter, knowing you have those guys down there.”

The Royals loaded the bases on two walks and a Lowrie error in the second, but Lester retired Alcides Escobar on a comeback to end the inning.

“Jed makes that play basically 10 out of 10 times,” Lester said. “You have to pick your teammates up sometimes like they pick you up. I was able to minimize the damage.”

Lester did not allow a hit until Perez’s single with two out in the fourth.

“Jon Lester is bona fide,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He’s a premier lefty in this league and he showed why.”

Notes: It is questionable whether Ellsbury will return Monday when the Red Sox open a four-game series at Texas. “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to get him back out there too early,” manager Terry Francona said. “He’s still pretty sore.” The Royals are off Monday before playing 17 of their next 20 games on the road. RHP Bobby Jenks, who has been on the disabled list twice this season with back tightness, is scheduled to throw 20 to 30 pitches Monday in a simulated game at the Red Sox complex in Fort Myers, Fla. … DH David Ortiz, who has missed the past seven games with bursitis in his right heel, is hitting off the tee and soft toss in the cages, but is still wearing a boot on his foot. … Red Sox LHP Erik Bedard, who starts Monday, is winless in his past eight starts against the Rangers, although he has allowed three earned runs or less in each of his previous four starts. … Royals LHP Tim Collins got the final out of the eighth on his 22nd birthday.

KANSAS CITY — Danny Duffy, the Kansas City Royals’ 22-year-old rookie left-hander, would like to be where Boston Red Sox lefty Jon Lester is at some point in his career.Lester and Duffy hooked up in a pitchers’ duel for six innings Sunday. Lester limited the Royals to three hits and one run as the Red Sox won 6-1. Boston remained a half-game behind the New York Yankees in the American League East.“Jon Lester is bona fide,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He’s a premier lefty in this league and he showed why.”The Royals are hopeful Duffy can develop into one. Duffy held the Red Sox to two runs and five hits in six innings, leaving with the Royals trailing 2-0. Jason Varitek’s first triple since June 24, 2007, drove in the first Boston run in the fifth. Darnell McDonald homered in the sixth for the other run off Duffy, who was making his 17th big-league start.“Duffy pitched a great game,” Yost said. “He was on the attack. He was throwing strikes and getting ahead in the count. He hung a curve to Varitek for the triple, and he tried to go inside to McDonald and just got too much of the plate, but otherwise he didn’t make too many mistakes. He kept his pitch count in check. He was really very, very good.”But Lester was better.“He’s got good enough stuff to put you away and get ahead in the count, and he’s got a cutter he can use to get back in the strike zone and get back even,” said Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer, who went 0-for-3 with a walk. “He mixed it up. He threw a good game. You’ve got to tip your cap to him.”Duffy (3-8) struck out three and walked two. He is 0-4 in four August starts.“His stuff is good, but we finally broke through,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said.Duffy was much sharper than his last outing, when he gave up eight runs in three-plus innings of a loss to the New York Yankees.“I think it was a step forward personally,” Duffy said. “It’s kind of hard to think about it that way when you lose, but personally, my efficiency was a lot better than it was against the Yankees.”Carl Crawford also hit a solo home run for the Red Sox.Lester (13-7) has allowed two runs and six hits in 13 innings in his past two starts to beat Kansas City and Tampa Bay. He is 5-1 with a 1.30 ERA in seven career starts against the Royals.McDonald, who had three hits, hit his fifth home run of the season in the sixth on an 0-2 pitch from Duffy. Aaron Crow gave up a home run to Crawford, his eighth, in the seventh inning.Ryan Lavarnway, Adrian Gonzalez and Jed Lowrie had RBIs in the eighth as the Red Sox scored three runs off Louis Coleman, one of four rookie pitchers the Royals used.Johnny Giavotella led off the Royals seventh with a triple and scored on Mike Moustakas’ single for the only run off Lester, who was replaced by Daniel Bard after 113 pitches with two runners on base. Bard retired the next three hitters.The Royals loaded the bases on two walks and Lowrie’s error in the second, but Lester retired Alcides Escobar on a comeback to end the inning.Lester, who no-hit the Royals on May 19, 2008, did not allow a hit until Perez’s single with two outs in the fourth.Notes: CF Jacoby Ellsbury was out of the Boston lineup for the second straight game with a contusion in his back after being hit by a pitch Friday. It is questionable whether Ellsbury will return Monday when the Red Sox open a four-game series at Texas. “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to get him back out there too early,” Francona said. “He’s still pretty sore.” … The Royals are off Monday before playing 17 of their next 20 games on the road. … RHP Bobby Jenks, who has been on the disabled list twice this season with back tightness, is scheduled to throw 20 to 30 pitches Monday in a simulated game at the Red Sox complex in Fort Myers, Fla. … DH David Ortiz, who has missed the past seven games with bursitis in his right heel, is hitting off the tee and soft toss in the cages, but is still wearing a boot on his foot. … Red Sox LHP Erik Bedard, who starts Monday, is winless in his past eight starts against the Rangers, although he has allowed three earned runs or less in each of his previous four starts. … Royals LHP Tim Collins got the final out of the eighth on his 22nd birthday .

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Jon Lester loves to face the Kansas City Royals.

Lester curbed the Royals on three hits for six-plus innings and Jason Varitek tripled for the first time in more than four years as the Boston Red Sox won 6-1 yesterday.

“My stuff at times was good and at other times I was trying to do too much, overthrowing the ball a little bit,” Lester said.

Lester (13-7) has allowed two runs and six hits in 13 innings in his past two starts to beat Kansas City and Tampa Bay. He is 5-1 with a 1.30 ERA in seven career starts against the Royals, including a no-hitter on May 19, 2008.

Carl Crawford and Darnell McDonald hit solo home runs for the Red Sox. McDonald replaced Jacoby Ellsbury, who missed his second straight game with a contusion in his back after being hit by a pitch Friday.

The Red Sox took three of four from the Royals although other starters David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis and J.D. Drew were also out with injuries.

“It’s nice to know when those guys are out you have other guys to fill in and do a good job,” Lester said. “That’s big for us, a confidence-booster definitely. Guys that filled in those spots did a good job.”

Varitek’s two-out triple rolled to the right-center fence, allowing Jed Lowrie to score in the fifth to break a scoreless deadlock. Lowrie led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a Crawford groundout. Varitek’s triple was his first since June 24, 2007 at San Diego off Jake Peavy.

How did it feel?

“Not so good,” said Varitek, who was icing both knees at his clubhouse stall. “I’m just spacing them out. With two outs, it didn’t look like it’s something I shouldn’t have any problem getting to (third).”

Red Sox manager Terry Francona joked, “Speed never takes a day off.”

“It’s not like Jacoby and Carl, trust me,” the 39-year-old Varitek said.

“It’s not often you see Tek get a triple,” Lester said.

McDonald, who had three hits, hit his fifth home run of the season in the sixth on an 0-2 pitch from Royals rookie left-hander Danny Duffy (3-7). Aaron Crow gave up a home run to Crawford, his eighth, in the seventh inning.

Ryan Lavarnway, Adrian Gonzalez and Jed Lowrie had RBIs in the eighth as the Red Sox scored three runs off Louis Coleman, one of four rookie pitchers the Royals used.

Duffy gave up two runs on five hits in six innings, while striking out three and walking two. He has lost four August starts since a July 31 victory at Cleveland.

Johnny Giavotella led off the Royals seventh with a triple and scored on Mike Moustakas’ single for the only run off Lester. He was replaced by Daniel Bard after 113 pitches with two runners on base. Bard retired the next three hitters.

“It’s nothing unexpected from him,” Lester said of Bard’s performance. “He’s done it since he’s been up here. It’s big to have a guy like that in our bullpen. That’s what he’s done all year. It makes your job a little easier as a starter, knowing you have those guys down there.”

The Royals loaded the bases on two walks and a Lowrie error in the second, but Lester retired Alcides Escobar on a comeback to end the inning.

“Jed makes that play basically 10 out of 10 times,” Lester said. “You have to pick your teammates up sometimes like they pick you up. I was able to minimize the damage.”

Lester did not allow a hit until Perez’s single with two out in the fourth.

“Jon Lester is bona fide,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He’s a premier lefty in this league and he showed why.”

Notes: It is questionable whether Ellsbury will return tonight when the Red Sox open a four-game series at Texas. “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to get him back out there too early,” Francona said. “He’s still pretty sore.” … RHP Bobby Jenks, who has been on the disabled list twice this season with back tightness, is scheduled to throw 20 to 30 pitches today in a simulated game at the Red Sox complex in Fort Myers, Fla. … DH David Ortiz, who has missed the past seven games with bursitis in his right heel, is hitting off the tee and soft toss in the cages, but is still wearing a boot on his foot. … Red Sox LHP Erik Bedard, who starts Monday, is winless in his past eight starts against the Rangers, although he has allowed three earned runs or less in each of his previous four starts.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Danny Duffy, the Kansas City Royals’ 22-year-old rookie left-hander, would like to be where Boston Red Sox lefty Jon Lester is at some point in his career.

Lester and Duffy hooked up in a pitcher’s duel for six innings Sunday. Lester limited the Royals to three hits and one run as the Red Sox won 6-1. Boston remained a half-game behind the New York Yankees in the American League East.

“Jon Lester is bona fide,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He’s a premier lefty in this league and he showed why.”

The Royals are hopeful Duffy can develop into one. Duffy held the Red Sox to two runs and five hits in six innings, leaving with the Royals trailing 2-0. Jason Varitek’s first triple since June 24, 2007, drove in the first Boston run in the fifth. Darnell McDonald homered in the sixth for the other run off Duffy, who was making his 17th big league start.

“Duffy pitched a great game,” Yost said. “He was on the attack. He was throwing strikes and getting ahead in the count. He hung a curve to Varitek for the triple, and he tried to go inside to McDonald and just got too much of the plate, but otherwise he didn’t make too many mistakes. He kept his pitch count in check. He was really very, very good.”

But Lester was better.

“He’s got good enough stuff to put you away and get ahead in the count, and he’s got a cutter he can use to get back in the strike zone and get back even,” said Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer, who went 0 for 3 with a walk. “He mixed it up. He threw a good game. You’ve got to tip your cap to him.”

Duffy (3-8) struck out three and walked two. He is 0-4 in four August starts.

“His stuff is good, but we finally broke through,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said.

Duffy was much sharper than his last outing, when he gave up eight runs in three-plus innings of a loss to the New York Yankees.

“I think it was a step forward personally,” Duffy said. “It’s kind of hard to think about it that way when you lose, but personally, my efficiency was a lot better than it was against the Yankees.”

Carl Crawford also hit a solo home run for the Red Sox.

Lester (13-7) has allowed two runs and six hits in 13 innings in his past two starts to beat Kansas City and Tampa Bay. He is 5-1 with a 1.30 ERA in seven career starts against the Royals.

McDonald, who had three hits, hit his fifth home run of the season in the sixth on an 0-2 pitch from Duffy. Aaron Crow gave up a home run to Crawford, his eighth, in the seventh inning.

Ryan Lavarnway, Adrian Gonzalez and Jed Lowrie had RBIs in the eighth as the Red Sox scored three runs off Louis Coleman, one of four rookie pitchers the Royals used.

Johnny Giavotella led off the Royals seventh with a triple and scored on Mike Moustakas’ single for the only run off Lester, who was replaced by Daniel Bard after 113 pitches with two runners on base. Bard retired the next three hitters

The Royals loaded the bases on two walks and Lowrie’s error in the second, but Lester retired Alcides Escobar on a comeback to end the inning.

Lester, who no-hit the Royals on May 19, 2008, did not allow a hit until Perez’s single with two outs in the fourth.

Notes: CF Jacoby Ellsbury was out of the Boston lineup for the second straight game with a contusion in his back after being hit by a pitch Friday. It is questionable whether Ellsbury will return Monday when the Red Sox open a four-game series at Texas. “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to get him back out there too early,” Francona said. “He’s still pretty sore.” … The Royals are off Monday before playing 17 of their next 20 games on the road. … RHP Bobby Jenks, who has been on the disabled list twice this season with back tightness, is scheduled to throw 20 to 30 pitches Monday in a simulated game at the Red Sox complex in Fort Myers, Fla. … DH David Ortiz, who has missed the past seven games with bursitis in his right heel, is hitting off the tee and soft toss in the cages, but is still wearing a boot on his foot. … Red Sox LHP Erik Bedard, who starts Monday, is winless in his past eight starts against the Rangers, although he has allowed three earned runs or less in each of his previous four starts. … Royals LHP Tim Collins got the final out of the eighth on his 22nd birthday .

(Sports Network) – Not only was Tim Wakefield denied his 200th career win yet
again on Saturday, the Boston Red Sox also missed out on a golden opportunity
to move up in the standings in the American League East. Today at least the
team can give it another shot, taking on Kansas City Royals in the finale of a
four-game set at Kauffman Stadium.

Wakefield has been trying for nearly a month to reach the 200-win plateau, but
is winless in his last five starts since capturing victory 199 on July 24. He
was charged with four runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings on Saturday as the
Sox suffered the 9-4 setback on the road.

“I’m trying to take it like it’s a normal start and trying to go out there and
give us some quality innings, quality starts,” said Wakefield. “I had a bad
sixth inning.”

Wakefield didn’t figure into the decision, one that left the Sox still one-
half game behind the New York Yankees in the standings after the Bronx Bombers
were defeated by the Minnesota Twins. Instead, it was Matt Albers
who suffered his fourth setback of 2011 as he gave up five runs in the sixth
inning.

Dustin Pedroia, Carl Crawford and Ryan Lavarnway all registered two hits for
Boston as the squad saw a brief two-game win streak come to a halt.

The Royals sent 12 batters to the plate and had seven of their 14 hits during
the decisive sixth inning. Eric Hosmer’s two-run triple capped the big rally,
as Kansas City snapped a two-game slide but is still 16 games out of
contention in the AL Central and all alone in last place in the division.

Alex Gordon contributed three hits, including a two-run double in the sixth,
while Hosmer had both of his hits during the rally. Jeff Francoeur, Billy
Butler and Mike Moustakas also chipped in with a pair of hits as well

KC hurler Felipe Paulino benefited from the scoring burst by the Royals to
earn his first win in seven starts. He gave up four runs on eight hits in six
innings after going 0-3 in his previous six starts and just 1-5 in 14
appearances since being acquired from the Rockies for cash in May.

Heading back to the hill for the Red Sox today is lefty Jon Lester as he seeks
to post back-to-back wins for the first time since early June. The Washington
native has won just two of his last five starts, including a 3-1 triumph over
Tampa Bay earlier this week.

Against the Rays Lester lasted seven innings, allowing just one run on three
hits, walking one and striking out eight in his 12th victory of the campaign.

Lester has yet to defeat KC this season, although the hurler did not receive a
decision the last time he faced them, despite giving up one run on seven hits
over 5 1/3 innings of work. For his career Lester has a mark of 4-1 with a
minuscule 1.28 ERA.

As for the Royals, they have Danny Duffy penciled in as their starter this
time around. The lefty, in his first major league season, has been roughed up
of late and has suffered three straight defeats. On Tuesday the California
native was beaten up by the Yankees who scored eight runs on just as many hits
and a pair of walks over the course of three innings. Duffy walked two and
struck out three, in addition to hitting a couple of batters before Kansas
City eventually bowed in the 9-7 setback.

Duffy faced Boston once before during the season and while he failed to factor
into the decision, he and the Royals suffered a 13-9 loss on the road at
Fenway in late July as the hurler again failed to make it through four
innings, giving up six runs on six hits and three walks.

Boston, which has won the season series against the Royals in each of the
previous three seasons, now leads the squad by a 4-3 mark in 2011.
contests in this series.

The Sports Network