For just the eighth time in the long history of the Kansas City Royals, a position player entered from the bullpen to pitch in a game as reserve outfielder Mitch Maier trotted out for the bottom of the eighth inning.
Kansas City looked like they had the offensive firepower to stay with Boston early, but the Red Sox posted a six run fifth inning that turned a 7-6 Royals lead into a 12-7 deficit.
Nathan Adcock struggled mightily on the mound for the Royals in the sixth lasting just 1/3 of an inning and allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits while issuing three walks. He took the loss in falling to 1-1 on the season and seeing his ERA rise to 5.45.
The Royals have tried to protect Adcock lately as he has seemingly reached a wall at this point in the season. Many young rookies go through similar phases. However because Adcock is a Rule V selection the Royals are trying to be careful with using Adcock as he can not be returned to the minors without being offered back to the Pirates first.
Offensively the Royals posted nine runs on 15 hits as they fell in the second game of the series at Fenway Park.
Billy Butler (8th) and Alex Gordon (12th) both hit fourth inning home runs off Red Sox starter Andrew Miller. Butler was 3-for-4 at the plate and a triple short of the cycle.
Miles Aviles also had three hits, while Gordon and Eric Hosmer had two hits each. Aviles is now 4-for-15 since his recall from Omaha.
The highlight of the evening may have been Maier pitching a one-two-three inning in the eighth inning. Featuring a mid 70's fastball, the Red Sox put solid contact on the ball when facing Maier, but Maier can take heart in knowing he has a 0.00 career ERA pitching in the major leagues.