Magic 8 ball: Royals stun Boston with monster inning

BOSTON — The surging Royals, who have thrived on the big stage in recent years, stunned the Red Sox with an eight-run sixth inning that fueled a 10-4 victory on Sunday night at Fenway Park.

The impressive barrage, led by rookie Raul Mondesi’s three-run triple that put Kansas City on top for good, gave the defending World Series champions a series victory and their 17th win in the last 21 games.

“The two walks inside the sixth inning to get things started for them, and as hot as they are, the momentum they’ve been able to create, it’s just a tough, tough sixth inning when you see them put eight runs on the board,” said Red Sox manager John Farrell.

The comeback by Kansas City took the sting away from starter Yordano Ventura getting knocked out in the fifth, after allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. Lefty Eduardo Rodriguez helped the Royals get momentum back on their side when he allowed the first three batters to reach in the sixth, two on walks. Matt Barnes came on for Boston and the Royals, backed by Mondesi’s laser to the gap in right-center, swiftly chased him.

Mondesi, for a moment, thought he might have a grand slam.

“Wrong spot,” Mondesi said. “I got it in that little corner. But that’s OK, got three RBIs and helped the team.”

The Royals are 5 1/2 games back in the American League Central, but just three behind the Orioles for the second Wild Card spot. The Red Sox are two back in the AL East, leading Baltimore by a game in the Wild Card standings.

“We’re starting to get hot as a team,” Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer said, “and it’s a good time to get hot.”

David Ortiz smashed career homer No. 534 in the fourth, a solo shot, tying Jimmie Foxx for 18th on the all-time list. The Red Sox hit into four double plays in the first five innings.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Rookies to the rescue: Mondesi wasn’t the only rookie who had a hand in the win. Rookie left-hander Matt Strahm came in to clean up the shaky start by Ventura. After the Red Sox took a 4-2 lead in the fifth, Strahm entered with …

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