Royals Hang 8-Spot In Sixth Inning As Tim Wakefield Continues Quest For 200th Win

45 year-old Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield will have to wait another start on his quest for 200 career victories as the Kansas City Royals turned back their visitors by a 9-4 count on Saturday evening at Kauffman Stadium.

The storyline of the game all came down to the bottom of the sixth inning for the Royals as they posted eight runs in the inning, more than enough run support for starter Felipe Paulino who picked up just his second win on the season (2-5), as Kansas City will look to split the series on Sunday with another win.

Boston took a 4-1 lead after the top of the sixth on a Ryan Lavarnway single to center that scored catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. For the Red Sox rookie it was his first career run batted in. It also proved to be Paulino's last inning on the mound as he ended up allowing four runs on eight hits through six innings.

The sixth inning started with Wakefield striking out Billy Butler before Eric Hosmer singled and then back-to-back doubles by Jeff Francoeur and Mike Moustakas chased Wakefield from the game.

Matt Albers came on in relief of Wakefield and promptly allowed three hits and two walks while only getting one out before being pulled by Boston manager Terry Francona. At that time Kansas City has raced in front to a 7-4 lead. Kansas City would score two additional runs in the inning on a Hosmer triple facing Franklin Morales.

The bullpen of Blake Wood, Tim Collins, and Greg Holland would only allow two hits the rest of the way as Kansas City moved to 52-75 on the season.