Jordan Lyles dominates as Royals crush Red Sox 13-2

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jordan Lyles had one of his best outings of the season for the Royals, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out seven in eight innings as Kansas City beat the Red Sox from Boston 13-2 Friday. night.

Lyles (4-15), who leads the major leagues in losses, allowed no runs before Alex Verdugo’s two-out, two-run homer in the eighth. He didn’t give up a walk and coasted as the Royals took a 7-0 lead after three innings.

“Today is just about our offense being able to get a few points early,” Lyles said. “At that time, I try not to walk guys. We put a lot of them. (Catcher) Freddy (Fermin) and I were able to put it on cruise control.

Salvador Perez hit two home runs in his second multi-home run game of the season, the first since May 2 against Baltimore. Nick Loftin, making his major league debut, was 2-for-3 with one walk, one RBI and one run.

James Paxton (7-5) allowed six runs on five hits in 1 1/3 innings.

Bobby Witt Jr. put the Royals on the board in the first inning with his 28th home run of the season.

“I was just trying to keep going and shake things up,” Witt said. “I wasn’t trying to hit a home run.”

He is two homers away from becoming the first Royals player to hit 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in a season. He already has 38 stolen bases.

Perez followed with his 20th, his seventh season with at least 20 homers. He’s behind George Brett, who had eight 20-home run seasons, in that category in franchise history.

“It was a big home run for him, his 20th,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “It’s a pretty special achievement. After seven seasons, he is only behind George Brett.

“Any time you’re around him, it’s pretty cool.”

The Red Sox have lost for the sixth time in their last seven games as their wild card hopes fade.

“The secondary issue is what gets us in trouble,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “The breaking ball in Witt. (Paxton) threw a good one to Salvy, who swung and missed, but the other was uncompetitive.

Kyle Isbel, Maikel Garcia, Witt and Perez scored in the Royals’ second four-run run.

Loftin doubled in the third for his first hit and first RBI.

“When I hit it, I thought I had a chance (to homer),” Loftin said. “I quickly realized that I was playing at Kauffman Stadium and not Werner Ballpark in Omaha.”

He started the sixth with a single and scored his first run on Isbel’s double. Perez and Nelson Velazquez each hit two-run homers on the Royals’ sixth run.

TRANSACTIONS:

Royals: OF Edward Olivares recalled from Triple-A Omaha; RHP James McArthur recalled from Triple-A Omaha; SI Nick Loftin was selected from Triple-A Omaha; RHP Brady Singer has been placed on the paternity list and RHP Joe Barlow has been nominated for assignment.

FOLLOWING:

The Red Sox will send RHP Tanner Houck (3-8, 4.93 ERA) to the mound on Saturday night. The Royals have yet to announce a starter.

Former Royals World Series winning manager Ned Yost will be inducted into the Royals Hall of Fame ahead of the match.