KASNSAS CITY, Mo. — Rookie Nick Pratto ended the game with a ninth-inning homer, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Boston Red Sox 5-4 on Saturday.
Pratto found a change of speed from Garrett Whitlock (2-2), on a 3-2 count with two outs. The ball traveled 424 feet, across center field, for Pratto’s second career home run and his first at Kauffman Stadium.
The Royals began and ended the game with home runs. MJ Melendez hit a home run in the first inning for the second time in the series.
The shot sent the ball 434 feet from home plate into right field. It was Meléndez’s 12th home run so far this season.
Kyle Isbel added another home run to Kansas City’s cause.
Bobby Dalbec hit a two-round drive for Boston in the fourth and Alex Verdugo sent the ball over the fence in the sixth to even the score at 4-4.
Dylan Coleman (3-1) retired the Red Sox in order in the ninth inning.
For the Red Sox, the Dominican Rafael Devers 4-0. The Mexican Verdugo 4-2 with a run scored and an RBI.
For the Royals, the Venezuelan Salvador Pérez 4-1.