KANSAS CITY, Mo (AP).– Kendrys Morales homered on his 32nd birthday and the Kansas City Royals rallied to beat the Boston Red Sox 7-4 on Saturday night.
Morales hit a two-run, tie-breaking shot in a five-run fifth off Rick Porcello (4-8). It was his third career homer on his birthday.
The Red Sox lost third baseman Pablo Sandoval (sprained left ankle) and catcher Blake Swihart (sprained left foot) to injuries and designated hitter David Ortiz was ejected in the seventh inning by home plate umpire Bruce Dreckman.
The Red Sox scored two runs in the top of the fifth to take a 4-1 lead, but Porcello imploded in the bottom of the inning with a hit batter, a balk, a walk and four hits.
Porcello lost his sixth straight, matching his career high set in 2012. He allowed six runs, eight hits, two walks and hit two batters in five innings.
Sandoval committed a throwing error in the inning when he hurt his ankle. Swihart was pinch hit for in the sixth after injuring his left foot on a slide into third base the previous inning.
Salvador Perez hit his fifth home run in 12 games for the Royals and Mike Moustakas drove in two runs.
Boston’s Mookie Betts led off the game with a home run, extending his hitting streak to eight games.
Right-hander Edinson Volquez (7-4) was not sharp, allowing four runs, eight hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings, but won his third straight start.
Greg Holland worked the ninth for his 13th save in 14 opportunities.
