Salvador Perez went three-for-four including a solo home run in the first, but the Kansas City Royals were unable to keep a lead, falling to the Boston Red Sox 4-3 on Wednesday, May 20 at Kauffman Stadium.

Perez belted his eighth home run of the year with a fly ball over left field, giving KC the early lead. It would not last long, as Boston took the lead in the second with an RBI single by Nick Sogard. Boston would take advantage of a Nick Loftin fielding error and load the bases. A grounder by Carlos Narváez that wound up being a double play would give Boston the lead. The Royals retook the lead in the fifth on a two-run home run to left-center field by Elias Díaz. Boston took the lead for good with one out in the seventh, when Jarren Duran took Steven Cruz yard with a fly ball, also to left field.

Willson Contreras went three-for-four for Boston, as the Red Sox collected 11 hits and three walks off Royals pitching. Cruz took the loss, as he lasted just two-thirds of an inning and allowed two runs on two hits. The loss spoiled Michael Wacha’s quality start, as despite a shaky second, he went six innings and had one earned run on six hits and two walks, while striking out eight. Connelly Early got the win with his 6.1 inning start, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while fanning five. Aroldis Chapman picked up his 12th save of the season.

The Royals now sit 20-30, 8.5 games behind the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central. It’s a much-needed off day for the Royals on Thursday, before they welcome the Seattle Mariners to Kauffman Stadium for a three-game series beginning Friday evening.