KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jeremy Guthrie retired the final 17 batters he faced, Omar Infante had three hits and drove in two runs, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Boston Red Sox 7-1 on Saturday night.
Manager Ned Yost overhauled his batting order and got immediate results. The Royals scored seven runs for the first time since Aug. 19, a span of 22 games.
Nori Aoki, batting second for the first time this season, and Alex Gordon, who snapped an 0-for-22 skid, each had two hits, scored a run and drove in a run.
Infante, who usually bats second, was dropped to seventh and responded with three singles, including an eighth inning single that scored Lorenzo Cain. He also drove in a run in the third with a fielder’s choice.
Guthrie (11-11), who was roughed up for eight runs on 10 hits in 2 2-3 innings in a loss Monday at Detroit, allowed three hits and one unearned run in eight innings.
After David Ortiz’s single in the third, Guthrie did not allow a base runner.
Rubby De La Rosa (4-7) was pulled after four innings and 65 pitches, permitting five runs on six hits. He balked home Salvador Perez, who had a RBI double in the three-run third.
Rookie left-hander Brandon Finnegan, the Royals’ top pick in this June’s draft, replaced Guthrie and allowed one hit in the ninth.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Red Sox: INF Brock Holt remains sidelined with a concussion and there is no timetable for his return. He is still having vison problems.
Royals: LHP Danny Duffy, who skipped a start Thursday with a sore shoulder, is scheduled for a mound session Sunday. He is optimistic he will make his start Tuesday against Chicago. . DH Josh Willingham remains out with a groin injury.
UP NEXT
Red Sox: RHP Joe Kelly will make his eighth start since being acquired in a July 31 trade with St. Louis. He last faced the Royals on June 22, 2012.
Royals: LHP Jason Vargas will start the series finale. He is 6-4 with a 3.98 ERA at home this season.