Royals roll past Red Sox behind 5-run inning

KANSAS CITY -- The Royals rallied from a three-run deficit, bolstered by a two-run homer from Kendrys Morales, and Red Sox starter Rick Porcello lost for the sixth straight time as the Kansas City earned a 7-4 victory on Saturday night in front of 39,115 fans at Kauffman Stadium -- the Royals' 11th sellout this season.

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Edinson Volquez staggered through 5 1/3 innings, giving up four runs, to get the victory, thanks to a sterling effort by the bullpen, which threw 3 2/3 shutout innings. Salvador Perez also homered for the Royals.

Video: Must C Crushed: Perez launches mammoth shot

"He wasn't real sharp tonight," Royals manager Ned Yost said of Volquez. "But he made pitches when he needed to."

Added Volquez, "I thought I threw all right. I threw a lot of strikes. But it helps to have a great bullpen."

Volquez now is 21-0 over the last two seasons when he receives four runs or more of support.

"I didn't know that," he said, smiling. "That's good. I hope I get more."

It was an unusual night for the Red Sox. Third baseman Pablo Sandoval sprained his left ankle while making a throw to first base during the decisive five-run fifth inning. In the seventh, David Ortiz was tossed for arguing balls and strikes … while he was on first base. During his at-bat, Ortz appeared upset with a pitch called for a strike by home-plate umpire Bruce Dreckman. Ortiz then singled to center. While Ortiz was on first, he appeared to gesture toward home plate, then Dreckman then ejected him.

Porcello lasted only five innings, giving up eight hits and six runs. He has given up 43 hits and 30 runs in his last 36 innings.

"There's nothing physically," manager John Farrell said. "The beginning has been the issue, and we continue to work at talking through game situations and make the awareness be known. But as far as removing out of the rotation, that hasn't been discussed."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Birthday boy: Morales lifted a sinker into the right-field seats for a two-run homer in the fifth that gave the Royals a 6-4 lead. Morales knew it was gone when he hit it. The shot happened on his 32nd birthday -- that is the third time in his career that he has homered on his birthday. Morales now has eight homers and 45 RBIs -- on pace for 112 RBIs this season. More >

Video: BOS@KC: Morales gives Royals lead on two-run homer

"He's just having a great year for us," third baseman Mike Moustakas said. "I just hope he can keep doing the job for us."

Moose on the loose: Moustakas was a busy man offensively. Moustakas doubled in the third. In the fifth, his sacrifice fly brought the Royals within 4-3. In the sixth, Moustakas delivered a key two-out single to plate Alex Rios from third base to make it 7-4.

Video: BOS@KC: Moustakas knocks in Infante on sacrifice fly

Sandoval sprains ankle: In the fifth inning, Sandoval snagged an infield hopper from Lorenzo Cain and unsuccessfully tried to catch Alcides Escobar off the third-base bag. When Escobar didn't go, Sandoval turned and overthrew to first base, extending his leg and falling to the ground in pain moments later. The error gave Escobar an opportunity to race home for the tying run, while Cain advanced to second. Cain would score later when Morales smashed a two-run, go-ahead homer. Sandoval left the game with what was later diagnosed as a left ankle sprain. Travis Shaw replaced him at third. More >

Video: BOS@KC: Sandoval exits game in 5th after injury

Papi ejected: In the seventh inning, Ortiz argued a strike call during his at-bat and later, after singling off Royals reliever Kelvin Herrera, flipped his bat in front of Dreckman, who then ejected him from the game once Ortiz was on first and made another gesture. More >

Video: BOS@KC: Ortiz ejected after arguing with umpire

"Well, he didn't like the call, the one strike, and the conversation seemed to continue 90 feet apart," Farrell said. "Felt like he waved his arms at Bruce, and he ran him for that."

WHAT'S NEXT
Red Sox: Wade Miley will start the finale of this three-game road series on Sunday at 2:10 p.m. ET. The lefty bounced back for a win at Atlanta on Tuesday, allowing just two runs in 6 1/3 innings and matching a season-high eight strikeouts.

Royals: Right-hander Chris Young will get the ball on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. CT. Young (6-2, 1.98 ERA) threw seven shutout frames against Milwaukee on Tuesday, pushing his scoreless streak to 13 1/3 innings.

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