BOSTON— The Red Sox continued their recent success against the Royals by riding Wade Miley’s strong pitching performance to a 4-1 victory in Thursday night’s opener of a four-game series at Fenway Park.

Boston is a Major League-best 9-2 against Kansas City since the start of 2014.

The Red Sox produced a three-run rally in the third against lefty Danny Duffy to take a 4-0 lead. Ryan Hanigan (two-run single) and Jackie Bradley Jr. (RBI triple) delivered the big hits. Bradley is hitting .409 in his last 12 games.

“He’s just in a really good spot,” Red Sox interim manager Torey Lovullo said of Bradley. “This is a wave that every player wants to get on and we’re enjoying it.”

Another player in that category is Travis Shaw. The rookie belted two more hits, including a double off the Green Monster, and is hitting .500 (15-for-30) over his last seven games.

Over 7 1/3 innings, Miley (10-9, 4.41 ERA), allowed six hits and a run, walking none and striking out six.

“I’m just commanding the ball a little bit better,” Miley said. “When you’re commanding better, you get some swings and early contact, and get deeper into ballgames.”

Mike Moustakas belted a homer to right in the fifth to put the Royals on the board.