KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Daniel Nava belted his second career grand slam and Xander Bogaerts homered and drove in four runs as the Boston Red Sox overcame an early four-run deficit to double up the Kansas City Royals 8-4 Sunday.
Bogaerts finished with three hits and joined rookie Mookie Betts by scoring twice for the Red Sox, who took three of four in the series. Joe Kelly (4-4) overcame a tough start to pick up the win after allowing four runs on five hits in six innings.
Eric Hosmer launched a three-run homer for the Royals, who fell to 1-6 against the Red Sox this season and dropped 1 1/2 games behind first-place Detroit in the American League Central. Kansas City also saw its lead over Seattle dip to a half-game in the race for the second wild card.
After the Royals claimed the early 4-0 lead, Boston answered in the third as Bogaerts deposited an 0-1 changeup from Jason Vargas (11-9) over the wall in left field for a three-run homer. Nava put the Red Sox ahead in the sixth after jumping on a first-pitch fastball from Aaron Crow for his fourth homer.
Bogaerts added a sacrifice fly in the seventh as Boston seized an 8-4 lead. Four relievers made the advantage stand up, with Edward Mujica striking out Lorenzo Cain with the bases loaded in the ninth to end the game.
Boston continues its 10-game road trip when it travels to Pittsburgh on Tuesday.