Wright’s rocky return too tall a hurdle for Sox

BOSTON — The defending World Series-champion Royals look like a team that doesn’t want to miss the thrill of another October. Inconsistent for much of the season, Kansas City has played terrific baseball of late, continuing with Friday night’s 6-3 victory over the Red Sox in the opener of a three-game series at Fenway Park.

Backed by a five-run first inning that included home runs by Eric Hosmer (three-run drive) and Alex Gordon (two-run shot), the Royals rolled to their 11th win in their last 12 games and 16th in their last 19.

Lorenzo Cain walked twice, scored a pair of runs and hit his ninth homer of the year.

• Royals’ resurgence fueled in part by Cain’s return

The Royals’ bullpen was touched for a run in the ninth, ending its scoreless streak at 41 1/3 innings, the longest stretch since the 1966 Kansas City A’s had one of 44 innings.

Right-hander Ian Kennedy earned the win, scattering nine hits and two runs over 5 1/3 innings while notching eight strikeouts.

Steven Wright made his first start for the Red Sox since Aug. 5, but couldn’t recover from that tough first inning. The righty lasted six innings, allowing seven hits and five runs.

The standouts in defeat for the Red Sox were Dustin Pedroia, who went 4-for-4 with a walk from the leadoff spot, and Mookie Betts, who was 5-for-5.

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