BOSTON (AP)– When you’re the defending AL champion and you have a double-digit lead in the division, it’s easy to shrug off a two-game slump.
Johnny Cueto had his worst start since coming to Kansas City, the Royals committed a pair of errors and they managed just four hits against a rookie making his fourth start on Friday as they fell to the Red Sox for the second straight night.
“No aspect of our game was tremendously good tonight,” manager Ned Yost said after the 7-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox. “It’s rare when it happens, but it happens.”
The Royals entered the series against last-place Boston with a 14 1/2-game lead in the division and a five-game winning streak.
Cueto (2-2) had allowed just six runs in four previous starts for the AL Central-leading Royals. He allowed six earned runs and 13 hits on Friday, striking out three before leaving after six innings. The Royals also committed two errors, leading to another run.
“He’s been doing a good job since we got him,” center fielder Lorenzo Cain said of the right-hander who was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds just before the trading deadline. “Unfortunately, I just speak for myself, I played terribly.”
Henry Owens made the longest start of his short career, pitching eight innings of four-hit ball. Blake Swihart had four hits and Mookie Betts three for the Red Sox, who tied a season high with their fourth win in a row.
A 23-year-old lefty who is one of Boston’s top pitching prospects, Owens (2-1) was making his fourth career start since being called up from Triple-A Pawtucket on Aug. 4. He pitched well in his first two outings, but gave up seven runs and 10 hits in a loss to Seattle on Sunday.
Owens allowed Kansas City one earned run and four hits and a walk, striking out four in eight innings. The Red Sox got to Cueto for three runs in the second inning, two in the fourth, and two more in the sixth.
Josh Rutledge hit a two-run homer for Boston. Alcides Escobar hit a solo shot for the Royals.
