The Boston Red Sox Wednesday, June 21, 2017

* The Boston Globe

Chris Sale disarms Royals, helps Red Sox surge to first in AL East

Peter Abraham

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Red Sox decided on Monday night to recall infielder Deven Marrero and first baseman Sam Travis from Triple A Pawtucket. That was the easy part.

Finding them seats on a flight out of Boston or Providence on Tuesday was the difficult task.

Poor weather earlier this week made for a busy day at both airports and flights were packed. The players got up early and caught a ride to Logan International then waited for several hours as different arrangements fell through.

“Me and Sammy just grinded it out. Played some cards. Had Starbucks like three times,” Marrero said.

Flying standby wasn’t an option. The players had equipment bags to check and needed assurance they would get to Kansas City in time to play. Every option was tried; none worked.

It fell to vice president of major league and minor league operations Raquel Ferreira to get the job done, and she arranged for a private plane out of Hanscom Field.

Marrero and Travis caught another ride out to Bedford and traveled in luxury, napping contentedly in the comfortable seats. They arrived at the clubhouse 2½ hours before first pitch.

“This is the Boston Red Sox. They get stuff done here,” Marrero said.

Sometimes it’s all in the logistics. Marrero reached base three times and drove in a run and Travis had an RBI double as the Sox beat the Royals, 8-3.

“To see those guys walk off an airplane here at [4:30] in the afternoon, right in the lineup and contribute as they did, it was a much-needed lift,” manager John Farrell said.

At 40-31, the Sox moved into first place in the American League East, a half-game ahead of the fading Yankees. It is the first time this season the Sox have had sole possession of first place.

Credit Ferreira with her first save.

“Raquel got it done,” Travis said. “I’m just glad we got here to help the team win.”

For Marrero, his first game against the Royals has special meaning.

Outside of a spring training exhibition against Team USA in March, Marrero had never played a major league game against Kansas City first baseman Eric Hosmer.

It’s not a cliché to say the two are like brothers. They became friends in Little League and played on the same high school team in Plantation, Fla. When Marrero’s father was jailed, Mike and Ileana Hosmer took him in and treated him like a member of their family. Almost every major decision in his life has been made with their counsel.

“I’m like the third son, and they’re like my parents,” Marrero said. “They’ve helped my family out a lot.”

Hosmer is an All-Star with a World Series ring as Marrero tries to carve out a role with the Sox. On a day Pablo Sandoval went to the disabled list, he helped create three runs at the plate and handled third base flawlessly.

Marrero made a difficult backhand play in the seventh inning to take a hit away from Hosmer.

“Lots of trash talk after that one,” he said. “Such a fun night.”

Chris Sale, who lost a 1-0 game in Philadelphia last Thursday, benefited from run support this time. He went 8⅓ innings, allowing three runs on four hits and retiring 19 straight at one point.

Sale (9-3) struck out 10 with one walk. He has 10 or more strikeouts in 10 of his 15 starts and leads the majors with 146. The Sox are 11-4 in his starts.

Sale went to the mound in the ninth inning with an 8-1 lead. He walked Whit Merrifield with one out before Jorge Bonifacio homered. After Brandon Moss singled, Fernando Abad came in and got the final two outs.

“It sucks, man. I wanted to get that one. I don’t like telling the manager I can go out there and get it for him and not get it done. I wasn’t able to get the bullpen a full day off,” Sale said.

“I’ll never settle. When you start settling you get complacent and when you get complacent you suck. It’s not my style.

The Royals started rookie lefthander Matt Strahm, a relief pitcher until last week. He had a 1-0 lead after two innings before all the trouble started.

Marrero doubled to right field leading off the third inning and scored on a soft single to center field by Mookie Betts.

The first four Red Sox had hits to open the fourth inning and knock Strahm out of the game.

Jackie Bradley singled and scored on a double to the gap in left by Travis. It was his first career RBI.

Josh Rutledge followed with a hard-hit ball to third base for a single. After a wild pitch, Sandy Leon lined a two-run double up the gap in right field.

Scott Alexander replaced Strahm and threw another wild pitch. Leon then scored on Marrero’s sacrifice fly to center.

The Sox scored three runs off Kevin McCarthy in the sixth inning. Chris Young had an RBI double and Xander Bogaerts a two-run single.

The Sox have played 23 of their last 34 games on the road and dealt with an assortment of injuries. First place in June doesn’t merit a trophy, but does signal this is a team still capable of meeting high expectations.

“Injuries that we sustained, we continue on. That’s a tribute to every guy in that room,” Farrell said. “To do it on the road, to continue to win, that’s what makes this team starting to grow into something special.”

Red Sox won’t rush Rafael Devers to replace Pablo Sandoval

Nick Cafardo

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The more time Pablo Sandoval misses the less likely he is going to be this team’s answer at third base in 2017. But if you’re thinking Rafael Devers and whether he can be the choice to start his major league career soon, the answer seems to be a resounding no.

First on Sandoval, and we’ve written this negative narrative time and time again. While we would never say a player isn’t sick or hurt, Sandoval might have just fought like cats and dogs to stay off the 10-day disabled list. Because even if his “ear infection” has cleared up before he’s eligible to come off the 10-day disabled list, when he does return Sandoval will be even further out rhythm.

Let’s face it, Sandoval had shown no signs of setting the world on fire. There was no reason to hold a spot open for him, as the Red Sox are now for Dustin Pedroia as he recovers from a rib injury. Anyway, the roster demands won’t allow it. You can’t play with a short bench when you only have four players on it.

“We need to give this a few days to clear up,” Farrell said of Sandoval. “There was an elevated fever last night as the game wore on. He’s not going to be available for today. The move we made was to put him on the disabled list.”

The Red Sox recalled Deven Marrero and Sam Travis. Farrell has at least a comfort zone with Marrero’s defense. He was in the lineup at third base Tuesday against the Royals. If Marrero could only hit consistently there would be no need to even discuss Devers at this point.

But there’s nobody else.

It’s going to be Marrero and Josh Rutledge at third, unless the Red Sox pick up some veteran has-been such as Jhonny Peralta. But Dave Dombrowski’s philosophy on player acquisition is if the player is not an upgrade over what you have, he won’t do it.

That’s the reason the Red Sox were never players for Trevor Plouffe and don’t appear to be interested in Peralta, even though he was once Dombrowski’s shortstop in Detroit.

“This is not an ideal situation,” Farrell said of Sandoval. “We all recognize that. We support Pablo in his return and you can probably make the argument we brought him back out of necessity when [Pedroia] went down in Chicago, where he wasn’t playing the number of consecutive games he needs to. For a guy who has been a longtime everyday player, we recognize it’s a tough situation. At the same time you try to make the most of your roster and you try to take advantage of what you have currently to win today, and that’s the approach we’ve taken. We have confidence that he can impact the baseball from the left side of the plate and we have to continue to work defensively to allow that range to be a little bit more improved.”

Has Sandoval’s range diminished since the Red Sox signed him to a five-year, $95 million deal in November 2014?

“If it has, it isn’t wholesale,” Farrell said. “You strain a ligament in a knee, you wear a brace, it’s going to have some impact, and I think that’s at play a little bit as well.

The Red Sox were toying with the idea of Steve Selsky taking more reps at third base, but he rolled his ankle recently and will be out a while. Farrell said the organization has not yet discussed Rusney Castillo playing some third base. Castillo, a former infielder in Cuba, has been Pawtucket’s best player but his contract would work against the luxury tax if he were to be active on the 25-man roster.

Xander Bogaerts going back to third?

“We tried that one other time,” Farrell said. “We’ve got one of the better shortstops in the game, so in lieu of someone else at shortstop? No.” Farrell emphasized how much they need Brock Holt to return, and the possibility is growing that he will be sent on a rehab assignment soon.

The Red Sox’ development staff is stressing to Dombrowski and Farrell that Devers hit every level. Sure, he’s hitting .302 with 14 homers and 44 RBIs with a .932 OPS in 232 at-bats at Double A Portland, but it’s not certain how much the development staff wants to see before promoting him to Triple A.

What is keeping the 20-year-old third baseman from making the jump is defense. He’s made nine errors.

“The reports have been fairly consistent,” Farrell said. “He’s swinging the bat well, but this is a guy that we are reluctant to move too fast. We’d much rather prefer that he progresses and stays on the course he has rather than force something and jump too far ahead of ourselves.

“He’s a great looking prospect but there are two sides of the game. I don’t know that we can assume that just because you plug them in that they’re going be average or better. That’s a huge assumption going from Portland to Kansas City.”

The Red Sox had a bad experience when they rushed Yoan Moncada to the majors in 2016, then watched as he struck out 12 times in 20 plate appearances.

Bogaerts is one young player who hit every level.

“I liked to do it step by step,” said Bogaerts. “If you ask me, it was the best choice, because I liked to do it stage by stage, know you could do it there and then move up.”

Farrell said it’s been his experience “that a player is going to tell you what he’s ready for. While he’s doing well, the next step would be Pawtucket before it’s Boston.”

It appears a move to Pawtucket is right around the corner for Devers, but need or no need, his arrival in Boston might not come until September when the rosters expand.

Red Sox put Pablo Sandoval on DL with ear infection

Peter Abraham

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The state of the Red Sox roster is such that not only were Deven Marrero and Sam Travis recalled from Triple A Pawtucket on Tuesday, they were also in the lineup in an 8-3 win over the Kansas City Royals.

Marrero started at third base in place of Pablo Sandoval, who was placed on the disabled list with what the team said was a left inner-ear infection.

Travis was at first base against Royals lefthander Matt Strahm. Mitch Moreland needed a day off his feet to help heal a fracture in his left big toe. Moreland was injured June 13 when he was hit by a pitch and is 2 of 19 since.

Righthanded reliever Austin Maddox was optioned to Pawtucket. The Sox had been carrying an extra pitcher.

According to Sox manager John Farrell, Sandoval had a fever Monday and would not have been able to play Tuesday.

“The move to put him on the disabled list is here,” he said. “This has been 2-3 days in the making. It progressed to the point of worsening.”

This is Sandoval’s second time on the disabled list this season. He was out from April 26 to May 30 with a sprained right knee, the result of crouching to field a ball.

Sandoval was 8 of 38 (.211) in 15 games since coming off the disabled list. Monday was only the second time he started in 10 days.

“For a guy who’s been a longtime everyday player, we recognize it’s a tough situation,” Farrell said. “But at the same time, you try to make the most of your roster and take advantage of who you have currently to win today and that’s the approach that we’ve taken.”

Sandoval needs to improve defensively and it’s clear the Sox have little interest in having him bat righthanded. Farrell indicated that a minor league rehabilitation assignment was likely once he was cleared to play.

Such assignments can last 20 days.

“The importance of every day play certainly would be a benefit to him,” Farrell said. “Then see how best we can continue to bring him along and gain some confidence, gain some momentum in his own status here.”

With Sandoval on the DL and Marrero and Travis back from the minors, the Sox have a much more functional roster. Farrell said his plan would be to use Marrero as the third basemen with Josh Rutledge starting against lefthanders.

Travis gives the Sox a righthanded hitter who can spell Moreland at first or get at-bats as the designated hitter.

In the win Tuesday, Travis batted six and went 1 for 5 with an RBI double, while Marrero, who batted ninth, went 2 for 2 with a double, sacrifice fly, and a walk.

Maddox was added to the roster Thursday and appeared in two games, throwing two scoreless innings.

The Sox were unable to book Marrero and Travis on a commercial flight to Kansas City because of all the recent weather-related cancellations in the Northeast. The team chartered a jet instead.

Pedroia improving Dustin Pedroia, who was spitting up blood Sunday and did not go on the disabled list, took a few swings in the cage. He has a large and ugly bruise on the left side of his back, the result of being hit by pitch in Houston.

Farrell wouldn’t rule out the idea of Pedroia playing Wednesday afternoon but noted the second baseman was restricted swinging because of swelling.

Eduardo Rodriguez was on the field doing some agility drills to test his right knee. He also ran up and down the stadium steps. The lefthander is scheduled to throw in the bullpen on Wednesday then face hitters on the field at Fenway Park on Saturday. He would then pitch in a minor league game on or around June 28.

Rodriguez’s kneecap partially dislocated before his start June 1.

Brock Holt, who last played in a game on May 21, is moving closer to a rehab assignment. Holt has been dealing with concussion-like symptoms related to having vertigo.

“Hopefully that rehab assignment is getting closer,” Farrell said. “Because I’ll be honest with you, we need him.”

High honors Mookie Betts and Rick Porcello were at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum before the game along with teammates Jackie Bradley Jr. and Joe Kelly.

Betts was presented with the 2016 Oscar Charleston Award, which is given by the Museum to its choice as American League MVP. Porcello won the Bullet Rogan Award as the top pitcher in the American League.

Kelly stuck around to get a tour of the museum from its president, Bob Kendrick. The museum is about 15 minutes from Kauffman Stadium.

Lagging behind The Red Sox appear unlikely to have any All-Star starters voted in by the fans. Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts are fourth at their respective positions. The voting, which is conducted online, ends June 29. Carlos Correa of the Astros leads the shortstop voting with 1.65 million votes. Bogaerts has 750,708. Pedroia has 429,194 votes. The leader at second is Houston’s Jose Altuve with 2.1 million. In the outfield, Betts is sixth with 946,510 votes. Andrew Benintendi is 10th . . . Catcher Christian Vazquez played an inning at third base Monday after Sandoval was pinch hit for in the eighth inning. Vazquez had not played there since four games with Single A Greenville in 2009. Vazquez borrowed Pedroia’s glove and cap to play facing the plate instead of behind it. Nothing came his way. Farrell wasn’t too worried. “He’s a baseball player,” the manager said.

More picks signed The Red Sox signed two of their selection in last week’s amateur draft: first baseman Zach Sterry (eighth round) and righthander Lukas Young (21st round. Sterry, who played at Oakland University, was assigned to Single A Lowell. Young is recovering from a broken hand and will rehab in Fort Myers . . . Farrell’s youngest son, Luke, is in the Kansas City organization. The 26-year-old righthander allowed one run on three hits over eight innings for Triple A Omaha on Monday night. Farrell struck out nine without a walk. He is 6-3 with a 4.01 ERA . . . The Red Sox will pay tribute to their 2007 World Series team before the July 30 game against Kansas City. Pedroia is the only player still on the Red Sox roster. Active major leaguers include Clay Buchholz, Coco Crisp, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jon Lester, and Brandon Moss. The Red Sox Foundation will host the annual Picnic in the Park following the game. Sox players, mascots from Boston teams and the Patriots cheerleaders will take part. Tickets are available at redsox.com/picnic. Proceeds will benefit the Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Revolution charities.

Red Sox’ infield issues go beyond third base

Alex Speier

The focus, of course, is on third base. It’s impossible to ignore.

After all, Christian Vazquez — conscripted to play the position for the final inning of Monday’s game after Chris Young was used as a pinch hitter for Pablo Sandoval — became the seventh player the Red Sox have used at the position this year. No other team has employed that many third basemen.

The attention on the position makes all the sense in the world. Red Sox third basemen have a shockingly bad .200/.253/.312 line for the year, easily the worst offensive production any team has gotten.

Sandoval, of course, is a lightning rod, a player for whom patience comes at the cost of functional roster depth given that, right now, he is limited to one position at which he’s viewed as defensively suspect and he’s not trusted to handle lefthanded pitchers (witness the decision to pinch hit for him Monday).

Yet the problem runs a bit deeper. Dustin Pedroia was out of the lineup Monday as a result of a fastball to the ribs Sunday that had him coughing up blood; as Peter Abraham writes, he could miss the entire Kansas City series.

At those times when Pedroia has been out, the Red Sox have been trying to win with a roster of imperfectly fitting pieces. On Monday, that meant Josh Rutledge (now hitting .189/.271/.264 since Pedroia suffered a wrist injury May 29) at second base and Sandoval at third; at other times, it has meant the combination of Deven Marrero and either Rutledge or Sandoval.

Pedroia gives the Red Sox a two-way contributor, a player who can help with both his glove and bat. According to Fangraphs, he has been worth 0.8 wins above replacement. While that suggests a solid regular rather than a star, manager John Farrell recently referred to the impact of Pedroia’s return as “major,” and understandably so.

The Sox’ 7-3 record after Pedroia returned from the DL pointed to a team in one of its better stretches of the year. His absence, by contrast, exposes weaknesses. Sandoval (-0.5 WAR), Rutledge (-0.4 WAR), and Marrero (-0.1 WAR) all grade worse than “replacement level” in the eyes of Fangraphs, something that presumably has contributed to the fact that the Sox are 5-6 in the 11 games in which Pedroia has been absent.

With Marco Hernandez out for the year, the Sox’ lack of depth has been exposed when Pedroia has been injured. Given that Pedroia has missed a bit more than one out of every five games since the start of the 2014 season, the Sox likely need a standout depth option behind him. Right now, they don’t have one.

Meanwhile, they are fortunate that Xander Bogaerts — who has performed to the level of a star this year — has proven tremendously durable, missing just 15 games over the last three years. If the Sox were ever without him for an extended stretch, the dropoff could be monumental given the lack of in-house alternatives. (Marrero — a player who could contribute defensively but represents an offensive liability — would be first in line.)

Given the long-term uncertainty surrounding Brock Holt, the Red Sox may need to look not just at third base but more broadly at a versatile infielder capable of giving them options at third, second, and short. As much as the attention will focus on potential trade options such as Mike Moustakas or Todd Frazier, the Sox might have to consider more versatile players such as Jed Lowrie and Yangeris Solarte to offer depth at multiple positions.

In recent weeks, the Sox have started to look like a team capable of competing with any in the AL when they have their complete lineup. But the current absence of Pedroia serves as a reminder that they can’t count on that for the rest of the season. And with the depth shortcomings, that may recast what the Red Sox feel they need to do between now and July 31.

* The Boston Herald

Red Sox support Chris Sale just in time, beat Royals

Chad Jennings

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Less than three hours before first pitch, having arrived on a charter jet because so many commercial flights were delayed, two new corner infielders walked into a Red Sox clubhouse that desperately needed them.

The team’s infield had been decimated in the past week by a bruised back, a broken toe and an inner-ear infection. Deven Marrero and Sam Travis arrived from Triple A just in time.

They wasted no time making an impact.

Marrero reached base three times and Travis drove in the go-ahead run in an 8-3 win against the Royals last night, moving the Red Sox into sole possession of first place in the AL East for the first time all season.

Fittingly, it was Chris Sale (9-3) who got the win.

While the Red Sox have needed reinforcements up and down their roster this season, Sale has been a source of stability and dominance.

This nearly was his second consecutive complete game. After a leadoff single in the third, Sale retired the next 19 batters in a row before a one-out walk, home run and single in the ninth.

Fernando Abad got the final two outs. By that point, the Yankees had lost their seventh in a row, meaning the Red Sox now have a half-game advantage in the division.

They’ll wrap up their eight-game, three-city road trip this afternoon before taking a much-needed day off tomorrow.

Already on the trip, Dustin Pedroia has severely bruised his back on a hit by pitch, Mitch Moreland has played through a slightly fractured toe, and Pablo Sandoval has been placed on the disabled list with an inner-ear infection. The Red Sox needed Marrero and Travis just to fill their infield.

Because of a solo home run in the second inning, the Red Sox were in an early 1-0 hole when Marrero opened the third inning with a double. It was his seventh extra-base hit in 85 at-bats with the Red Sox this season. Marrero has just five extra-base hits in 86 at-bats with Triple-A Pawtucket.

The Red Sox cashed in on his unexpected show of power when Mookie Betts singled to tie the game at 1. It was Betts’ 39th RBI, tying him with Andrew Benintendi for the team lead.

After Marrero set up the tying run, Travis drove in the go-ahead tally.

Jackie Bradley Jr. opened the fourth inning with a sharp single just past the diving reach of second baseman Whit Merrifield, Bradley’s college teammate at South Carolina.

Four pitches later, Travis smacked a changeup to left field for his third double in just seven big league games. Bradley came all the way from first base to score on a head-first slide, and the Red Sox were in front 2-1. It was Travis’ first big league RBI.

After that, the Red Sox never looked back. They never even had reason to look over their shoulder.

Sale was at his very best, delivering a start reminiscent of that untouchable month of April. He picked up a win for the eighth time in his past 10 starts. The four times the Red Sox have lost one of Sale’s starts this season, they’ve scored a total of three runs.

Before those late base runners in the ninth, Kansas City had just two hits. There was a leadoff single in the third inning and a solo home run by Mike Moustakas in the second.

In 25 previous career at-bats against Sale, Moustakas had just one extra-base hit, and that was a double. But he is going deep at an unprecedented rate this season. This was his 19th home run, already just three shy of his career high.

Moustakas struck out in his last two at-bats.

Sale didn’t need much help, but just for good measure, the Red Sox offense gave him lots of it.

The go-ahead double by Travis was one of five Red Sox hits in the fourth inning. Josh Rutledge reached on an infield single, Sandy Leon doubled in two runs, and Marrero hit a sacrifice fly. It was a four-run inning generated by the bottom of the order and capped by one of Chris Young’s three hits in the game.

Two innings later, a similar inning expended the lead. Again, the bottom of the order did the early work with a Leon single and a Marrero walk, then Young and Xander Bogaerts drove them home with a double and a single, pushing the lead to 8-1.

Betts, Bogaerts, Bradley and Hanley Ramirez combined for three hits and two RBI. Travis, Rutledge, Leon and Marrero combined for six hits and four RBI.

Chris Sale sails right into ninth inning of Red Sox’ win in Kansas City

Michael Silverman

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In the end, the Red Sox “got the dub,” as Chris Sale put it, so he was happy.

But just before the end, when Sale could not play the final note of his masterpiece and had to be relieved with two outs left in last night’s 8-3 victory against the Kansas City Royals, he admitted to not being so happy. He told manager Johh Farrell that he could finish the ninth, but a walk, two-run home run and single proved otherwise.

That allowed Sale to prove his true colors and fighting spirit.

“I don’t want to tell John I can do something that I can’t get done — that goes for anything,” Sale said. “I’ll never settle. When you start settling, you get complacent, when you get complacent, you suck. That’s not my style.”

Before the walk, Sale had retired 19 consecutive batters and looked to be well on his way to his second consecutive complete game and 16th of his career. But he allowed a two-run home run to Jorge Bonifacio, and while Fernando Abad warmed up in the bullpen, Brandon Moss singled.

Out came Farrell, and it would not have been surprising to see steam come out of Sale’s ears.

After Abad came on to get a 1-6-3 double play to end the game, Sale was one of the first players to bound out of the dugout to join the conga line of high fives.

“Obviously I was a little pissed off,” said Sale, who finished with 110 pitches. “You get over it, obviously, because we’re still winning the game. Once that last out’s recorded, we’re all smiles. A little frustrated, but in the end, we still got our goal done, getting the win. We’re good.”

Said Farrell: “(Sale) was outstanding tonight. He got on a roll in this game and continued to put together a streak of consecutive retired batters. Pitch count was well in check as far as going out for the ninth inning despite the lead that we had. He wasn’t really stressed throughout the ballgame and was in great position to finish this one. A night to give the bullpen another much-needed day down, but he was in complete control of this one.”

Sale improved to 9-3 and matched the Washington Nationals’ Max Scherzer for most starts (five) of at least eight innings this year. He also broke a major league tie with Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers with his 12th start of at least seven innings. The Sox ace notched 10 strikeouts for the second game in a row after going through a four-game “dry spell.”

It was Sale’s 45th career double-digit strikeout game, third-most among active pitchers, trailing only Scherzer and Kershaw. If he can get one more double-digit strikeout game before the All-Star Game, that would give him 11, which would match Pedro Martinez for most by a Red Sox pitcher before the break. His 146 strikeouts lead the majors.

Mike Moustakas gave the Royals a lead in the second inning with a solo homer before Sale really got on a roll. Kansas City’s lone baserunner after the homer and before the ninth-inning walk was Alcides Escobar, who singled to lead off the third inning.

“Just going out there and trying to find a rhythm, Sandy (Leon) behind the plate doing what he does usually for me, just trying to find a groove and stay with it,” Sale said.

Silverman: Red Sox should let Pablo Sandoval take all the time he needs

Michael Silverman

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As every parent knows full well, there’s never a good time for their child to come down with an ear infection.

When it comes to what’s good for the Red Sox, however, the timing of Pablo Sandoval’s ear infection could not be any better.

For now and until further notice, the team is better off with Sandoval on the shelf and out of sight, and there’s every indication the Sox will take their sweet time and allow the third baseman an extended stretch — maybe an entire month — before they decide how to proceed.

Between now and then, a dose of Z-Pak antibiotics will hopefully knock Sandoval’s sickness out of his system quickly before he embarks on what will be a far more grueling and exhaustive rehab process.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Maybe, just maybe, Sandoval will still be able to craft that comeback story that he keeps deleting.

Or he won’t.

In the meantime, the Red Sox no longer have to make excuses for him.

“For a guy that’s been a longtime everyday player, we recognize that it’s a tough situation,” manager John Farrell said before last night’s game against the Kansas City Royals. “But at the same time, you try to make the most of your roster and take advantage of what you have currently to win today, and that’s the approach that we’ve taken. We have confidence he’s going to be able to impact the baseball from the left side of the plate, and we’ve got to continue to do some work defensively to allow that range to be a little bit more improved.”

Since Sandoval’s comeback at the beginning of the month from a DL stint with a knee sprain, his level of play has simply not been up to snuff. This has been increasingly obvious, to the point where the team unabashedly and unapologetically played Josh Rutledge for three straight games at third base in Houston simply because Sandoval’s defense could not be trusted.

When a player is healthy and that player is a veteran starter, one who happens to have an enormous contract, that’s almost unheard of. But it’s interesting that the Red Sox now are willing to raise the possibility that Sandoval really was not ready to return when they called him off a rehab assignment to fill the roster spot that opened when second baseman Dustin Pedroia sprained his wrist at the beginning of the most recent road trip.

With Sandoval’s range limited and throws not always true, plus an offensive output in 41 plate appearances that failed to wow (.268 on-base percentage, .316 slugging), there was no covering up the inadequacies. Give the Red Sox some credit for not trying to pull that off.

The Sox still want to give him every benefit of the doubt. The ear infection is one thing, but another is the suggestion that Sandoval was really not ready to come off that rehab assignment.

The topic of Sandoval’s knee brace, which he still has to wear, is one that emerged on this trip. Now, perhaps in the kind of hindsight the team can admit to, it lends evidence to the case that he was not prepared properly.

“If it has, it’s not wholesale differences,” Farrell said about the brace and Sandoval’s knee having limited his range at third. “And you strain the ligament in the knee, you wear a brace, it’s going to have an effect, and I think that’s at play here a little as well.”

Either way, as an explanation or an excuse, the Red Sox now have it covered as far as Sandoval is concerned.

“This is not an ideal situation, we all recognize that,” Farrell said. “We support Pablo in his return, and you could probably make the argument we brought him back out of necessity when Pedey went down in Chicago, where he wasn’t playing the number of consecutive games that we’d ideally get to, and then when you’re in and out of the lineup that compounds it even more.”

It sure does not seem as if the Red Sox are in a can’t-wait mode when it comes to activating Sandoval once the ear infection goes away.

Rehab assignments can last up to 20 days for position players.

“I wouldn’t rule (a rehab assignment) out at this point, and before talking to Pablo, I think that’s something we’ll probably sit down and kind of map out for him,” Farrell said. “Again, I think the importance of everyday play certainly would be a benefit to him and see how best we could continue to bring him along and bring some confidence and gain some momentum with his own status here.”

Sandoval needs full health, he needs confidence and he needs momentum.

Let him get it — on his own time, not the Red Sox’ time.

Red Sox notebook: Dustin Pedroia may return to lineup today

Chad Jennings

KANSAS CITY — Three days ago, Dustin Pedroia was spitting up blood in Houston, but Red Sox manager John Farrell said there’s still a chance the second baseman could be in the lineup for today’s series finale against the Royals.

“A little bit better,” Farrell said. “Tried to swing earlier in the cage. There’s still some restriction because of the swelling and soreness that was there. I wouldn’t completely rule (him) out, but we need another full day of recovery and treatment.”

Pedroia was hit by a pitch to the back of his rib cage on Sunday. He stayed in that game but left later when his back became too tight and swollen.

Without him, the Red Sox have been playing without a backup infielder. They added two infielders before last night’s game, but they also put Pablo Sandoval on the disabled list. Even with Sam Travis and Deven Marrero up from Pawtucket, the team still had no true backup at second base, third or shortstop.

Reliever Austin Maddox was sent down to Triple A to open the roster spot.

Pedroia’s return will depend largely on how well he can swing a bat. That’s his biggest test.

“Just because of the force that’s got to be generated,” Farrell said. “Like I said, he’s still sore.”

When Pedroia is able to play second base again, Josh Rutledge will move back to third to split time with Marrero.

“Rut’s strengths are against the left-handed pitcher more so than a right-hander, which is the reason we brought him back here,” Farrell said. “That will still be looked to be matched up and taken advantage of. There’s no denying when we went through some defensive struggles on the left side of the infield, Deven stabilized it for us, and we’ll look to do the same.”

Travis steps back in

On the big league roster for the second time this season, Travis was inserted into the lineup at first base against Royals left-hander Matt Strahm.

Farrell wanted to give Mitch Moreland a day off — he has a slight fracture in his big toe — and playing Travis at first meant Hanley Ramirez could stick to being the designated hitter.

It’s unclear how long the Sox will stick with Travis. Earlier, they carried him for two weeks as a true platoon partner with Moreland but ultimately preferred to use that roster spot for someone more flexible while giving Travis more consistent playing time in the minors.

“With a left-hander going, we need another right-handed bat,” Farrell said. “That was what precipitated (the call-up), along with Mitch’s condition. What it means going forward, we’ll see how the lineups shake out.”

E-Rod loosens up

In his recovery from a right knee subluxation, Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez got through his latest test of on-the-field agility and cardiovascular drills. Rodriguez also has been throwing bullpen sessions for a week now.

Up next, Rodriguez will throw live batting practice on Saturday and could start a minor league game late next week.

“Initiated some change of direction a little (yesterday),” Farrell said. “He ran some stadium (steps). The change of direction, a little bit of (pitcher’s fielding practice) with some light ground-ball work. He’ll throw another bullpen (today). The advancement of the change of direction and the added intensity of the running (is) kind of the final stage here. He’s set for the bullpen tomorrow. He’ll throw to some hitters live on Saturday, then probably toward the middle or latter part of next week, we’d like to get him in a game on a rehab assignment.”

Holt keeps at it

Still trying to get back from persistent vertigo symptoms, utility player Brock Holt took ground balls at shortstop during batting practice last night and made aggressive moves toward second base as if turning double plays.

Holt’s gone through multiple setbacks, but Farrell said the team is optimistic.

“We’re hopeful that when we get off this road trip, we’re getting closer to him getting out and starting to get some games,” Farrell said. “His skill set and his versatility speaks clearly to fit on this team.”

Manager’s delight

Luke Farrell, the Red Sox manager’s son, pitched eight innings for the Royals’ Triple-A affiliate on Monday, allowing one earned run with nine strikeouts and no walks. It was his fifth strong start in a row. The former sixth-round pick has a 4.01 ERA in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

“It looks like he threw the ball pretty darn well,” Farrell said. “I know talking to him last night, he felt good about his outing, and he’s starting to string a few together. We’ll see where that takes him.”

* The Providence Journal

Is Pablo Sandoval’s contract the worst ever?

Tim Britton

Pablo Sandoval landed back on the disabled list on Tuesday with an inner ear infection, and it’s reasonable to wonder whether Sandoval will ever have another chance to be Boston’s regular third baseman. Indeed, he barely had that chance over the past three weeks while healthy, starting just half of Boston’s games.

With that in mind, one wonders: Where does Sandoval’s contract rank among the worst all-time?

We’ll take the simplest approach here and judge it by gross value. How much value does a player produce on the field compared to how much money he was paid?

Our sample comprises the 78 players who signed contracts of at least $90 million in baseball history, dating back to Kevin Brown and Mike Piazza in the winter preceding the 1999 season. We calculated how much each individual player produced on the field during the intended life of the contract, measuring the value in Fangraphs’ dollars per win above replacement.

(Here’s how that works: Currently, a single win above replacement costs about $8 million on the free-agent market. A player who has produced three wins above replacement this season — Mookie Betts is closing in — has thus been worth about $24 million to his team. How much a single win above replacement costs has inflated over time, alongside salaries. It has basically doubled since 2002.)

For the purpose of simplicity, we neglected things like opt-outs, buy-outs, deferred money, trades involving money and insurance payouts.

We ranked those 78 players top to bottom, subtracting the amount they were paid from what they had produced on the field. In the sample, 36 players have lived up to their contracts and generated surplus value, topped by Albert Pujols’ original seven-year, $100 million deal with the Cardinals. Pujols provided about $300 million in terms of on-field production, a surplus of $200 million for St. Louis.

Miguel Cabrera’s initial extension with the Tigers (eight years, $152 million) and Mike Trout’s current deal with the Angels (six years, $144.5 million) round out the top three.

Thirty-six players haven’t contributed enough on the field to match their contracts. This includes names like Manny Ramirez (who was worth $150 million of the $160 million Boston signed him for) and Ken Griffey, Jr. in Cincinnati.

Right now, at this moment, Sandoval ranks 68th on that list, having cost the Red Sox about $69.2 million — the roughly $47 million they’ve paid him so far, and the negative-$22 million he’s cost them with poor play on the field.

This negative value is where Sandoval stands out. Of all 78 players, he has been the least valuable on the field. Only he and Ryan Howard have compiled negative wins above replacement during their contracts, and Sandoval has been about a half-win worse than Howard was during his five-year deal in Philadelphia.

What prevents Sandoval from ranking lower on the list is the relatively modest size of his contract — $95 million isn’t quite so large next to Alex Rodriguez’s $275 million — and the fact that he’s only halfway through it. If he continues to play at the same negative pace through the end of his deal, Sandoval would challenge Howard for the worst contract of all-time. (Signed for $125 million, Howard was worth negative- $15 million on the field — a gap of $140 million.)

If Sandoval doesn’t play the rest of his contract, he’d still fall beneath Carl Crawford, currently the worst free-agent signing on the list. To improve his rankings, Sandoval would have to play like a 2.5-win player over the next 2.5 seasons — or what he averaged over his last three years in San Francisco.

Pablo Sandoval placed on disabled list; time running out for beleaguered third baseman

Tim Britton

When your belt has unfastened itself mid-swing to serve as an apt metaphor for a season promptly gone awry, as it did for Pablo Sandoval last April, one would think the low points would stop being so startling.

But still, on Monday night in Kansas City, it was remarkable to see Sandoval pinch-hit for with Chris Young in the eighth inning against a left-handed pitcher — not because Young would hit for Sandoval, but because the move meant the Red Sox would have to play catcher Christian Vazquez at third in the bottom of the inning. Vazquez had last played the position in A-ball in 2009.

The Red Sox preferred placing their catcher at third to Sandoval facing a left-hander in a big spot.

On Tuesday, Boston placed Sandoval on the 10-day disabled list with a left inner ear infection. For the moment, the move allows the Red Sox to postpone a roster decision that had been growing imminent by the day. At what point does having Sandoval on the roster become untenable?

When Sandoval returned from his last stint on the disabled list on May 30, it seemed as if he had one final chance to stake his claim to the third-base job before the trade deadline. Instead, he’s been given little opportunity to play, and he has not played well when on the field.

“We’ve got to keep him involved, and we’ve got to keep trying to build some momentum and confidence with him,” manager John Farrell said before Sunday’s game in Houston. “By no means has he been forgotten about, and yet there’s work ongoing to continue to build that kind of momentum. The ability to impact the baseball from the left side of the plate, I firmly believe is still there. We need another bat in our lineup to produce.”

But Sandoval isn’t getting much of a shot to build momentum or confidence. He has started only half of Boston’s 20 games since his return. He has sat because a lefty is starting against the Red Sox and because a lefty is starting for the Red Sox. He has sat because of his lack of offense and his problems on defense, and he has sat even as Boston’s secondary option at the position, Josh Rutledge, has a .582 OPS on the season.

In only four of those 10 starts has Sandoval played the entire game without being replaced by a pinch-hitter or a defender.

However, it is hard for Sandoval to complain when he has just eight hits in 38 at-bats, with his average dropping down to .212 on the season. His OPS is .622. He hasn’t shown that impact from the left side Farrell alluded to in quite some time. His OPS against right-handed pitchers dropped 80 points from 2014 to 2015, and it’s another 50 points below that this season.

Furthermore, Sandoval’s limitations as a player have left the Red Sox bench short, as revealed on Monday. Sandoval’s inability to hit left-handers — he’s 3-for-20 off them this season and 5-for-61 as a right-handed hitter while with Boston — requires a platoon partner or a pinch-hitter for moments like Monday’s against Mike Minor. His defensive shortcomings — Fangraphs ranks him the least valuable third baseman in baseball with the glove over the last three seasons — have forced the Sox at times to carry an additional middle infielder such as Deven Marrero instead of a bench bat like Sam Travis.

It’s become increasingly hard to imagine a scenario in which Sandoval recovers his job as Boston’s everyday third baseman. Asked last week about whether the team wanted Sandoval to win the job back, Farrell had said only that he wouldn’t rule that possibility out.

Therefore, a release of Sandoval feels more and more inevitable, even at its considerable expense with roughly $50 million remaining on his contract. While once eating that much money would be inconceivable, teams have shown a greater willingness to cut bait with highly-paid, underperforming players. The Dodgers released Carl Crawford with roughly $35 million left on his deal, the Rockies released Jose Reyes with about $38 million left after his suspension for domestic violence.

At this point, Sandoval has a chance to go down as the worst free-agent signing in baseball history, according to Fangraphs’ dollars per win above replacement. Crawford, whose deal expires at the end of this season, will have been worth about $40 million over the life of his $142 million contract — a gap of $102 million. Through two and a half seasons, Sandoval has been worth negative $22 million for Boston on his $95 million deal — a gap of $117 million currently.

* The Springfield Republican

Bradley Jr.'s near 400-foot throw before his Red Sox days still amazes Royals' Whit Merrifield

Christopher Smith

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield's favorite memory about Jackie Bradley Jr., his former University of South Carolina teammate, isn't when the center fielder won the 2010 College World Series Most Outstanding Player.

It's a throw Bradley made in his street clothes as a freshman.

"(It) was the first time I met him, fall of his freshman year when he first got on campus," Merrifield said. "He really wasn't the highest-touted prospect. But we had heard about this unbelievable arm he had.

"And so when we met him for the first time, we all kind of met up at the baseball field and we were asking him about it. We were like, 'Really did you throw 101 (mph)?' And he was like, 'Yeah. Give me a baseball.' We're all in street clothes. And he grabbed a baseball and went to home plate and threw it over the batter's eye not warmed up, nothing. I mean, he made a bunch of great catches, had a bunch of big bits. But that was what really kind of stood out."

The legendary throw happened at South Carolina's old Sarge Frye Field, where center field was 390 feet from home plate, per gamecocksonline.com.

He also did it at Fenway Park in 2014:

"What he was astonished about, I didn't warm up. I just threw it. First throw of the day," Bradley said.

Merrifield said Bradley always was a confident player. But he's always possessed a humble confidence.

That character trait helped him so much when he batted under .200 in 2013 and 2014. He never let the pressure and the criticism get to him.

"He's a really confident kid," Merrifield said. 'He knows what he can do.

"And that happens in baseball," Merrifield added. "Obviously when you're kind of new, you want to play well every day. Prove yourself. But I think people outside of his little circle were judging him a little too soon. He's not one to really pay attention to what anybody else says. It's a good quality to have. And he's real confident in himself. He's a humble, laidback kid. Like I said, he's not going to listen to what you have to say about him because he knows what he can do."

Bradley added, "I didn't lose my confidence. I didn't get it going (offensively)."

Chris Sale's comments after 10-strikeout gem for Red Sox show why he was born to pitch in Boston

Christopher Smith

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Chris Sale didn't go easy on himself during his postgame interview.

But he never does. That's why he fits so well in blue-collar Boston.

Sale never seems satisfied. He always wants to pitch better and work harder. In that way, he's relatable to Boston fans who expect effort. This city always has appreciated the tough, gritty players.

And of course, Sale not only gives 100 percent effort but also is pitching completely out of his mind right now.

His comments following Boston's 8-3 win over the Royals here at Kauffman Stadium probably will endear him to Red Sox fans even more. He was born to pitch in Boston.

Sale went 8 1/3 innings, giving up three runs, all earned, four hits and one walk while striking out 10.

The lefty came close but couldn't quite finish off the complete game, which would have been the 16th of his career.

He entered the ninth inning, leading 8-1 and he struck out the leadoff man, Alex Gordon.

But Whit Merrifield walked, Jorge Bonifacio bashed a 436-foot, two-run homer and Brandon Moss singled.

That was the end of Sale's night.

He looked furious at himself.

"It sucks, man," Sale said inside the visitor's clubhouse. "I wanted to get that one. I don't like telling the manager I can go out there and get it for him and not get it done. I would have loved to have been able to give the bullpen a full day off. But hey, it didn't work out. (Fernando) Abad came in. Double play. That's huge. Ended the game on a good note."

Sale also provided this gem of a quote after his 10-strikeout gem:

"Like I said, I don't want to tell John (Farrell) I can do something and I don't get it done. That goes for anything. I'll never settle. When you start settling, you get complacent, when you get complacent you suck. So it's not my style.

"Obviously I was a little pissed. But get over it, obviously, because we're stilling winning the game. Once that last out's recorded, we're all smiles."

Yeah, and Red Sox fans should be all smiles because this bulldog pitcher -- who says all the right things (even telling WEEI's Kirk and Callahan show during spring training that he doesn't mind sitting in traffic) - - is on their team.

Deven Marrero's return included private flight, robbing best friend Eric Hosmer, 2 hits, RBI

Christopher Smith

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Deven Marrero and Sam Travis left Providence, R.I., at approximately 5 a.m. en route to Boston for their flight to Kansas City.

It took them two hours to get to Boston, then they experienced some flight issues. They sat around Boston most of the day playing cards and drinking Starbucks coffee.

The Red Sox ended up scheduling a charter flight for the two out of Hanscom Field. They used Uber to get there, then took off for KC around 2 p.m.

Marrero never doubted they would make it here.

"No, this is the Boston Red Sox. They get stuff done here. Sam was a little nervous. I was like, 'Hey, man, we'll be all right.'"

Marrero said he and Travis took a "long, long nap" to Kansas City.

"So it was a long day but it was definitely worth it," he added.

Yes, it was worth it because he got to play against his former American Heritage High (Plantation, Fla.) teammate Eric Hosmer.

And he played well, helping the Red Sox win 8-3 over the Royals here at Kauffman Stadium. The Red Sox took over sole possession of first place in the AL East.

Marrero started at third base and made a backhanded play to rob Hosmer of a hit. He also went 2-for-2 with a walk, run and RBI.

Hosmer texted Marrero the other day and asked him if he'd be here for this series. Marrero told him no because he still was at Triple-A Pawtucket.

But Marrero used FaceTime Monday night to call Hosmer to tell him he had been recalled and he'd be there Tuesday.

It marked the first time the two best friends played against each other in the big leagues.

"I was like, 'Hey. Kid's coming. Need ya. Need some dinner' or something like that," Marrero recalled about what he said to Hosmer on FaceTime. "So it was fun to let him know and he was excited for me. And I can't wait to see him after the game."

Marrero and Hosmer hugged on the field before the game began and Hosmer congratulated his friend.

"It's crazy. Growing up with him since we were 9 years old. We're out here living the dream that we worked so hard for our whole lives," Marrero said.

The two live together in South Florida during the offseason.

Marrero's dad Luis went to prison and the entire Hosmer family has treated Marrero like a son through all the tough times.

"I'm like the third son and they're like my parents," Marrero said. "And I went through some rough times with my family and they've helped my family out a lot. And his dad's like my dad. His mom's unbelievable. It's just a great family. I have so much to thank them for. They're just great people."

Marrero thought back to his time playing with Hosmer in high school when he was out there on the field Tuesday.

"When me and him would just be on the same field together, joking around, and just going out there and having fun. And it was fun being out there with him today, especially robbing him. So that was pretty cool."

Hosmer did some talking trash out there. Hosmer even told his pitchers not to let Marrero get a hit. But that didn't happen of course.

"I'll never forget this game," Hosmer said. "That's family. That's blood right there. And to be on the same field, that's honestly what me and Hos have dreamed of since we were 9 years old: to get to the major leagues and play against each other and play with each other hopefully one day. It was special to have his family here, to watch that was pretty cool. I'm sure my mom and my sisters were watching. So it was a lot of fun."

Chris Sale K's 10, pitches into 9th to lead Boston Red Sox into sole possession of first in AL East

Christopher Smith

KANAS CITY, Mo. -- Chris Sale came close but couldn't quite finish off the complete game, which would have been the 16th of his career.

He entered the ninth inning leading 8-1 and struck out the leadoff man Alex Gordon.

But Whit Merrifield walked, Jorge Bonifacio bashed a 436-foot two-run homer and Brandon Moss singled.

That was the end of Sale's night.

John Farrell came out to get him. Fernando Abad took over for the final two outs.

Still, the Red Sox ace was brilliant yet again. The Boston Red Sox won 8-3 over the Royals here at Kauffman Stadium.

Sale walked one (with one out in the ninth) and he struck out 10. He allowed just four hits (two in the ninth).

The Red Sox overtook the Yankees for sole possession of first place in the AL East standings. New York lost 8-3 to the Angels.

Boston now leads the Yanks by one game.

Sale allowed a 440-foot solo home run to Kansas City Royals slugger Mike Moustakas in the second inning. After that, he cruised until the ninth.

Utility outfielder Chris Young, who started in left field and batted second in the order, went 3-for-5 with an RBI and run.

Sandy Leon and Deven Marrero, the Nos. 8 and 9 hitters, each went 2-for-4. Leon drove in two runs and Marrero recorded one RBI.

Sam Travis, who was recalled before the game along with Marrero when Pablo Sandoval landed on the DL, went 1-for-5 with an RBI and run.

Four-run fourth for the Red Sox

The Red Sox broke the game open with a four-run fourth inning.

With the game tied 1-1, Jackie Bradley Jr. led off with a single to right field.

Sam Travis then doubled home Bradley to make it 2-1.

Josh Rutledge legged out an infield single and a wild pitch allowed Travis to reach third base and Rutledge to reach second base.

Sandy Leon ripped a two-run double, making it 4-1.

Leon advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on Deven Marrero's sacrifice fly to center field.

Shutdown inning

After the Red Sox's four-run rally, Sale retired the side in order on 12 pitches in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Boston Red Sox 'reluctant to move too fast' with top prospect Rafael Devers, a third baseman

Christopher Smith

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Don't expect top prospect Rafael Devers to be promoted straight from Double-A Portland to the majors like the Red Sox did with Andrew Benintendi last year.

"We know he's swinging the bat well but this is a guy, we're reluctant to move too fast with him," Red Sox manager John Farrell said here at Kauffman Stadium today before the Red Sox and Royals' game. "We would much rather prefer he just continue to progress as he has and stay on that course whether than force feed it and jump too far ahead of ourselves."

Benintendi was a seasoned college player who skipped Triple-A Pawtucket at 22 years old. Devers, meanwhile, doesn't have that college background and he's still 20.

He doesn't turn 21 until Oct. 24.

"You can't compare those two," Farrell said. "You're talking about a three-year college player, three years older at that stage in their career. ... So then it goes to the development staff recommendation. You're talking about the individual and what are they showing you that they're ready for both in terms of their physical abilities and their ability to handle adversity if we're going to force feed it. So that's not a slight on anyone. But not every player is the same."

Devers is batting .302 with a .358 on-base percentage, .573 slugging percentage, .932 OPS, 14 homers, 17 doubles, two triples and 44 RBIs in 61 games.

"He's a great looking prospect but there's two sides to the game," Farrell said. "And I don't know if we ever assume that a player, you just plug him in and they're going to perform at league average or better. That's a huge assumption going from Portland to Kansas City."

Boston Red Sox hopeful Brock Holt is nearing rehab assignment; 'We need him,' John Farrell says

Christopher Smith

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Brock Holt (vertigo) hasn't played in a big league game since April 20.

His rehab assignment ended almost a month ago because symptoms continued to persist. The Red Sox recalled him without activating him May 26 because he wasn't going to meet the 20-day deadline players receive for rehab assignments.

Holt then visited with concussion specialist Dr. Micky Collins who told the super utility player not to begin another rehab assignment until his symptoms were gone.

"We're hopeful that when we get off this road trip we're getting closer to him getting out and starting to get some (rehab) games," Red Sox manager John Farrell said here Tuesday at Kauffman Stadium. "His skill set and his versatility speaks clearly to the fit on this team and the player that he is and the competitor that he is. So hopefully that rehab assignment is getting closer because I'll be honest with you, we need him."

The Red Sox obviously could use Holt at third base where they have received little offensive production from Pablo Sandoval and others.

Pedroia still has swelling; Red Sox placed Sandoval on DL after ear infection worsened Monday

Christopher Smith

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Dustin Pedroia is not in the Boston Red Sox lineup again today.

The Red Sox second baseman suffered "substantial swelling" below the lat muscle on his back left ribcage after being hit by a 92.3 mph fastball Sunday.

Pedroia even spit up blood after being hit by the pitch.

"A little bit better today," Red Sox manager John Farrell said about Pedroia. "He tried to swing earlier in the cage. And there's still some restriction because of the swelling and the soreness that is there. But I wouldn't completely rule out tomorrow. But we still need another full day of recovery and treatment today."

Sandoval has had inner ear infection for past few days

The Red Sox placed Pablo Sandoval on the DL with an inner ear infection.

Meanwhile, they optioned reliever Austin Maddox to Triple-A Pawtucket and recalled Sam Travis and Deven Marrero from the minor leagues.

"This has been two or three days in the making," Farrell said. "It just progressed to the point of worsening last night. So the moves are made."

Xander Bogaerts enjoyed Ari Schultz's video, looking forward to meeting heart transplant recipient

Christopher Smith

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Xander Bogaerts has seen the video of inspiring young Red Sox fan Ari Schultz, a heart transplant recipient who was in the hospital for 189 days.

The 5-year-old has undergone three open heart surgeries. The video is of Schultz being told he's finally going home. He's wearing a Bogaerts' jersey and pretends he's the Red Sox shortstop hitting a two-run homer.

"It's awesome," Bogaerts told MassLive.com today before the Red Sox's game at Kauffman Stadium. "I'm looking forward to seeing him. I'm looking forward to meeting him. When we get home (to Fenway) we'll see what we will do. But it's definitely awesome."

"He's been through a lot," Bogaerts said. "I don't know precisely. But 189 days in there. He was leaving in two more days. I mean, you could see the excitement on his face like he was ready to go home."

Bogaerts felt honored Ari was calling his name.

"I mean, you play the game and you don't even think about stuff like that," Bogaerts said. "There's so many good players."

Red Sox fan Pete Frates, who is battling ALS, invited the young fan to join him for a game at Fenway. Red Sox president Sam Kennedy formally invited both.

* RedSox.com

Sale dominates, charts course to first place

Ian Browne and Jeffrey Flanagan

KANSAS CITY -- Chris Sale's latest gem, which fell two outs shy of a second consecutive complete game, put the Red Sox in sole possession of first place in the American League East for the first time this season.

Behind Sale, the Sox thumped the Royals, 8-3, on Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium. The lanky lefty (9- 3, 2.85 ERA) allowed four hits and three runs while walking one and striking out 10.

For Sale, the only sour part of the evening was when he allowed three straight batters to reach with one out in the ninth, which forced manager John Farrell to come get him. Sale flinched his head in anger because he wasn't able to finish the game for his team.

"I don't want to tell John I can do something that I can't get done," said Sale. "I'll never settle. When you start settling, you get complacent. When you get complacent, you [stink]. That's not my style. You get over it, obviously, because we're still winning the game. Once that last out's recorded, we're all smiles."

After weathering their share of injuries early in the season, the Red Sox feel a measure of satisfaction from the way they've played, going 19-10 since May 21.

"I don't think you can say anything negative about us right now," said Sale. "We're scoring runs, our [starting] pitching is good, our bullpen's been lights-out, so I don't know where we are right now, but I think we're in a pretty good spot."

Sale, who has won five of his past six starts, retired 19 straight at one point before tiring in the ninth. It was Sale's 10th game of 10 strikeouts or more this season, putting him one behind Pedro Martinez for most in Red Sox history before the All-Star break.

"He's invaluable," said Farrell. "The way he's pitched, the number of innings he's pitched and the quality of the innings that he has contributed."

Red Sox catcher Sandy Leon had two hits and two RBIs, while left fielder Chris Young had three hits. Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas gave the Royals a 1-0 lead off Sale in the second inning with his 19th home run this season, and the 100th of his career. Statcast™ projected it went 440 feet, making it Moustakas' longest this season, and the longest off Sale this season.

"I wish it would have come in a win, but it's definitely cool to hit 100 homers in the Majors.," said Moustakas said. "That's pretty special. That's a great pitcher on the mound. Once he settled in, he was really tough. We've seen him enough to know how good he is."

Rookie Jorge Bonifacio hit a two-run home run, his 10th, off Sale in the ninth.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Game, set, match: The Red Sox were leading, 2-1, in the fourth against Royals starter Matt Strahm when Leon came up with two on and none out. Leon drove a double to right-center, scoring Sam Travis and Josh Rutledge, giving the Red Sox a commanding 4-1 lead and ending Strahm's night. Strahm, making his second career start, went three-plus innings, giving up seven hits and five runs.

"They were hitting mistakes," Strahm said. "I have to be better with quality pitches. I kind of crapped out there in the fourth. Making good two-strike pitches was my nemesis tonight." Moustakas added, "It was just his second start. It was a learning experience for him. Next time out, we have confidence he'll pitch a great game."

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS Shortstop Alcides Escobar's third-inning single marked his 1,000th hit with the Royals. He had 159 with Milwaukee previously.

When reliever Travis Wood hit in the ninth, he became the first Royals pitcher to bat in a game at Kauffman Stadium since Hipolito Pichardo in 1995.

Sale now has 45 career double-digit strikeout games, third-most among active pitchers. Only Max Scherzer (57) and Clayton Kershaw (55) have more.

WHAT'S NEXT Red Sox: Left-hander Drew Pomeranz will take the ball in Wednesday afternoon's 2:15 p.m. ET finale of this three-game series. Pomeranz pitched well in a no-decision his last time out, holding the Astros to four hits and a run over 6 1/3 innings.

Royals: Right-hander Ian Kennedy (1-6, 5.03 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals in the series finale with the Red Sox on Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. CT. Kennedy retired the first 17 batters he faced Friday against the Angels and earned his first win since last September while working six innings on one-run ball.

Marrero, Travis make big impact upon return

Ian Browne

KANSAS CITY -- After a travel adventure they won't forget any time soon, Sam Travis and Deven Marrero played key roles for the Red Sox in an 8-3 victory over the Royals on Tuesday at Kauffman Stadium.

As it turns out, the baseball was the easy part. Getting there was the challenge. Full Game Coverage The Red Sox informed both players late Monday night that they would be getting recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket to help reinforce Boston's injury-plagued infield.

Sometimes, there are more complexities to joining the team than the simple roster moves.

After waking up at dawn on Tuesday, Travis and Marrero got stuck in traffic and took two hours to get from Providence to Boston's Logan Airport.

And once they got there, things got complicated. The combination of rainy weather in Boston and searing heat in Phoenix put airplanes at a shortage.

Red Sox vice president of Major and Minor League operations Raquel Ferreira saved the day by successfully arranging a charter flight for the two players from Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, Mass. "Yeah, it was very up in the air," said Marrero. "Me and Sammy just grinded it out, played some cards, had Starbucks like three times. It was a long day, but it was definitely worth it."

Marrero started at third base and went 2-for-2 with a walk and an RBI and scored twice. Travis, who is ranked the club's No. 3 prospect by MLBPipeline.com, belted a key double in Boston's four-run fourth inning.

"They were big," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "Sam made a number of nice picks around the bag. To see those guys walk off an airplane here at 4 in the afternoon, get right in the lineup and contribute as they did, it was a much needed lift given the physical status of a number of our guys here."

Travis and Marrero took off at 2 p.m. ET, and landed in Kansas City roughly three hours before Tuesday's first pitch. Marrero and Travis both had successful stints on the roster earlier this season, and they were given warm welcomes by their teammates when they entered the clubhouse.

"We all know what they can do," said winning pitcher Chris Sale. "Not only do they bring good energy to the clubhouse, but they're damn good ballplayers. I like both their styles, they play aggressive, they're both really good and they've got a lot of heart. Seeing guys like that come up here and not be intimidated and kind of take the bull by the horns is pretty impressive."

It was the definition of a team effort, given what the players did upon arrival, and what team executives did in Boston to get them there.

"Yeah, we ended up with a private flight just because everything was booked, canceled or otherwise," said Farrell. "The fact we were able to scramble, that's a tribute to a lot of people back in Boston trying to find a way to get them here and it was key to tonight's game."

Did the players ever have a doubt they'd make it on time?

"No, this is the Boston Red Sox," said Marrero. "They get stuff done here. There was no worry. Sammy was a little worried. I was like, 'Hey, man, we'll be all right.' We were just talking about the game and excited to get here and help this team. It was just a fun long day, but we're going to sleep good tonight, that's for sure."

"It was a long day but definitely worth it," said Travis. "Raquel definitely did wonders and got it done."

Betts in need of votes to start All-Star Game

Ian Browne

KANSAS CITY -- Though Mookie Betts continues to help the Red Sox win with his play in all facets of the game, he will need a surge from his fans to get the votes necessary to start his second straight All-Star Game.

Boston's right fielder, who was the runner-up to Mike Trout in the American League's Most Valuable Player Award voting last season, was sixth at his position when the latest round of results was released on Tuesday for the Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot.

"He's our catalyst offensively, and I don't want to take anything away from other guys, but when you look at the numbers that he's putting up, to do it in the leadoff spot, the extra-base totals he's put up, the defensive plays, he is just a dynamic all-around player," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "In some of those games where we've had some comebacks or some big offensive nights, typically he's right in the middle of it."

With 946,510 votes, Betts is within striking distance of George Springer, who is currently in possession of the third and final spot in the AL outfield with 1,176,951 votes.

Last year, Betts started for the AL while making his first appearance in the Midsummer Classic.

Red Sox rookie left fielder Andrew Benintendi is 10th in the outfield balloting with 704,484 votes.

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who is having another solid all-around season, is fourth at his position with 750,708 votes.

"Bogey has done a heck of a job," said Farrell. "He's durable. You can count on him. He's a reliable shortstop, and an offensive one at the same time. To me, he's a complete player."

Fans may cast votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on computers, tablets and smartphones -- exclusively online using the 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot until Thursday, June 29, at 11:59 p.m. ET. On smartphones and tablets, fans can also access the ballot via the MLB.com At Bat and MLB.com Ballpark mobile apps. Vote up to five times in any 24-hour period for a maximum of 35 ballots cast.

Following the announcement of the 2017 All-Star starters, reserves and pitchers, fans should return to MLB.com and cast their 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player on each league's All-Star roster. Then on Tuesday, July 11, while watching the 2017 All-Star Game presented by MasterCard live on FOX, fans may visit MLB.com to submit their choices for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet with the 2017 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote.

The 88th Midsummer Classic, at Marlins Park in Miami, will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage, while MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM will have comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information about MLB All- Star Week and to purchase tickets, please visit AllStarGame.com and follow @AllStarGame on social media.

* ESPNBoston.com

Deven Marrero's odyssey ends with win -- and hopefully a good night's sleep

Scott Lauber

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- It took 78 days, 71 games, 39 players, 17 trips to the disabled list and five third basemen, but the Boston Red Sox are finally alone atop the American League East.

What a long, strange trip it has been -- and it isn't even half over.

It doesn't get much longer or stranger, though, than the journey that brought Deven Marrero and Sam Travis here Tuesday. What began with a 5 a.m. wakeup call in Rhode Island and included multiple delayed flights in Boston and a scramble to find a private jet ended 18 hours later with the two Triple-A call-ups combining to go 3-for-7 with three runs and two RBIs in an 8-3 win over the Kansas City Royals.

To hear Marrero tell it, this victory was fueled by Starbucks and Uber, with an 8⅓-inning gem from ace Chris Sale mixed in for good measure.

"We're going to sleep good tonight, for sure," Marrero said.

Here's the thing: The Red Sox ought to keep their travel-weary infielders around for a while. They're a more balanced and dynamic team when Marrero and Travis are on the roster.

Marrero took the place of maligned third baseman Pablo Sandoval, whose stop-and-start season was halted again by an inner-ear infection that landed him on the disabled list Tuesday. It's just as well. Even when Sandoval isn't running a fever, he can no longer hit from the right side of the plate or be counted on to play steady defense. A former All-Star and three-time World Series champion, Sandoval hasn't been a productive player for three years, and although he's only 30, there's at least a chance he might never be again.

In Marrero, the Red Sox aren't going to get much offense. In four Triple-A seasons, he has posted only a .558 OPS, including impossibly low .487 and .433 marks last year and this year, respectively.

But Marrero is a slick fielder, as evidenced by his backhand stab to rob close friend Eric Hosmer of a hit in the seventh inning, and he brings energy to the No. 9 spot in the batting order even when he isn't hopped up on coffee.

"Had Starbucks like three times," Marrero said in relaying his travel adventure, which included several hours of waiting for delayed flights at Logan Airport before the Red Sox chartered a plane for him and Travis from Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, Massachusetts. "Sammy was a little nervous. I was like, 'Hey, man, we'll be all right.'"

Marrero had a calming influence on the Red Sox earlier in the season, too. With Sandoval out with a knee sprain, Marco Hernandez lost for the season to shoulder surgery and Josh Rutledge struggling defensively at a new position, Marrero came up from Triple-A and played his typically solid defense at third base.

It's a given that he will do at least that again. That he doubled and scored the Red Sox's first run in the third inning, drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the fourth and walked and scored in the sixth was a nice bonus.

And by now, it should be clear that Marrero can be at least a reliable short-term solution at the troublesome position while president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski decides whether to trade for a third baseman before the July 31 deadline.

"When you know what your players are capable of, then you can hopefully put them in a position to succeed more readily," manager John Farrell said. "[Marrero's] role was really starting to be carved out very clearly: Defensive replacement for [Sandoval], spell a guy on a given day and settle things down [at third base]. It's good to have him back here for that very reason."

Travis adds value to the Red Sox, too. Even if Hanley Ramirez wasn't dealing with soreness in both shoulders that limits him from playing first base, his clear preference is to be a full-time designated hitter. First baseman Mitch Moreland, meanwhile, is playing through a painful fracture of his left big toe.

With Travis on the roster, manager John Farrell has a deeper bench against right-handed pitchers and the ability to give Moreland a necessary rest against lefties. And there's no doubt Travis can hit. He lined an RBI double to left field and scored in a four-run fourth inning that broke open the game for Sale, who retired 19 batters in a row at one point but was nevertheless dissatisfied that he was unable to finish off the complete game.

"To see those guys walk off an airplane here at 4 in the afternoon, get right in the lineup and contribute as they did," Farrell said, "it was a much-needed lift, given the physical status of a number of our guys."

And to think, they almost didn't make it.

"This is the Boston Red Sox, man," Marrero said. "They get stuff done here."

That should include keeping Marrero and Travis around for a while.

Red Sox place Pablo Sandoval back on DL, this time with ear infection

Scott Lauber

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Pablo Sandoval is back on the disabled list, and this time, it's possible the Boston Red Sox third baseman won't return to action until after the All-Star break.

Sandoval was placed on the 10-day DL with a left inner ear infection, the team announced Tuesday. The illness had been coming on for a few days, according to manager John Farrell, with Sandoval's fever climbing during Monday night's 4-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals.

The Red Sox replaced Sandoval by calling up infielder Deven Marrero from Triple-A Pawtucket. Marrero was in the lineup at third base Tuesday night against the Royals.

Sandoval isn't eligible to return until July 1. Even then, Farrell said he "wouldn't rule it out" that Sandoval will make a minor league rehab assignment.

"I think the importance of everyday play certainly would be a benefit to him," Farrell said. "See how best we could continue to bring him along and bring some confidence and gain some momentum with his own status here."

Last week, Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski indicated Sandoval would have a chance to reclaim the everyday third-base job before the team considers adding outside help before the July 31 trade deadline to improve upon a worst-in-the-majors .565 OPS from its third basemen.

But Sandoval has started only three of the past 10 games, with Farrell reluctant to use him against left- handed pitchers or in situations where a more steady defender might help the Red Sox win. Sandoval is only 7-for-35 with two extra-base hits, three walks and 11 strikeouts since returning from a one-month absence due to a sprained knee.

"This is not an ideal situation. We all recognize that," Farrell said. "We support Pablo in his return. For a guy that's been a longtime everyday player, we recognize that it's a tough situation. But at the same time, you try and make the most of your roster and take advantage of what you have currently to win today, and that's the approach that we've taken."

Marrero represents a defensive upgrade over Sandoval at third base, having helped to stabilize the position earlier this season after Sandoval injured his knee. But Marrero hasn't produced much at the plate. In 83 at- bats over 33 games with the Red Sox this season, he is batting .157 with three homers, 11 RBIs and a .497 OPS. Sandoval is batting .212 with four homers, 12 RBIs and a .622 OPS in 99 at-bats over 32 games.

The Red Sox also recalled first baseman Sam Travis from Triple-A and optioned reliever Austin Maddox. Travis was in the lineup Tuesday night, with the Red Sox wanting to give first baseman Mitch Moreland a chance to rest a broken toe on his left foot.

* WEEI.com

Don't expect Rafael Devers to come in and save day for Red Sox

Rob Bradford

KANSAS CITY -- Third base continues to be a mess for the Red Sox, with the latest bump in the road coming in the form of Pablo Sandoval's stint on the 10-day disabled list with an inner ear infection. That, of course, leaves Josh Rutledge and Deven Marrero as the duo who will hold down what had been a very unstable fort.

It's why so many want to fill the gap with 20 year old Rafael Devers. Heading into Tuesday night, Devers was hitting .302 with a .932 OPS and 14 homers.

Don't hold your breath. Red Sox manager John Farrell was quick to pump the breaks when the topic of the third baseman solving the Red Sox' third base woes came up.

"The reports have been fairly consistent. We know he’s swinging the bat well, but this is a guy that we’re reluctant to move too fast with him," Farrell said of Devers. "We’d much rather prefer that he just continue to progress as he has and stay on that course rather than force-feed it and jump too far ahead of ourselves."

The manager later added, "He’s a great looking prospect, but there’s two sides to the game, and I don’t know that we ever assume that a player is just, you plug him in and they’re going to perform at league average or better. That’s a huge assumption going from Portland to Kansas City."

There have been cases where players the age of Devers have started their ascent at about this time, with Xander Bogaerts serving as one example. Then, of course, there was the promotion of Yoan Moncada straight from Double-A Portland to Boston last season.

"I’m not saying he’s Moncada. Every player is different," Farrell said of Devers. "What you’d hope to be able to refrain from is jeopardizing an individual player’s path for a current pressing need in the majors. I’ve always believed that a player is going to tell you what he’s ready for next. And while he’s doing well, the next step would be Pawtucket before it would be Boston."

So if not Devers, then who?

For the time being it appears against left-handers Rutledge will get the call, with Marrero starting when righties start on the mound. And while both wouldn't seem to represent palatable offensive options, there really aren't any other places to turn.

Steve Selsky was considered an option before rolling his ankle earlier this week. And when outside-the-box scenarios involving Rusney Castillo or Mookie Betts were brought up, Farrell said neither were up for consideration.

And then there is Sandoval, who the Red Sox just can't get to a place where the team has confidence he will be part of the solution.

"This is not an ideal situation," the manager said. "We all recognize that. We support Pablo in his return and you could probably make the argument we brought him back out of necessity when Pedey [Dustin Pedroia] went down in Chicago where he wasn’t playing the number of consecutive games that we’d ideally get to and then when you’re in and out of the lineup that compounds it even more. For a guy that’s been a long-time everyday player, we recognize that it’s a tough situation. But at the same time, you try to make the most of your roster, and take advantage of what you have currently to win today and that’s the approach that we’ve taken. We have confidence he’s going to be able to impact the baseball from the left side of the plate and we’ve got to continue to do some work defensively to allow that range to be a little bit more improved."

* Associated Press

Red Sox Move Into First Place With 8-3 Romp Over Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Chris Sale had just shut down one of the hottest teams in baseball, helping the banged-up Boston Red Sox take over sole possession of first place in the AL East for the first time all season.

And he looked as if he wanted to punch a wall.

Sale was two outs shy of his second consecutive complete game when Boston manager John Farrell trundled to the mound Tuesday night. But the left-hander's pitch count had already reached 110 on the way to an 8-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals, so Farrell's decision to summon a reliever was relatively easy.

If a bit hard to swallow for his competitive ace.

"A little frustrating," Sale said, "but at the end of the day we got the win. We're good."

Sale (9-3) gave up a homer to Mike Moustakas in the second inning and a two-run shot to Jorge Bonifacio in the ninth before leaving the game. The five-time All-Star allowed two other hits and a walk while pushing his major league-leading strikeout total to 146.

More importantly, he got a win after going the distance in a 1-0 loss to Philadelphia last week.

"We scored a bunch of runs today. That takes a lot of pressure off a pitcher," Sale said. "You can make mistakes and not have to worry about it. You can just pound the strike zone."

Xander Bogaerts and Sandy Leon each drove in a pair of runs for Boston, which got plenty of production from a lineup missing Pablo Sandoval, Dustin Pedroia and Mitch Moreland to various injuries.

First baseman Sam Travis and third baseman Deven Marrero, recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket earlier in the day, drove in early runs to get the Red Sox off and running. Mookie Betts and Chris Young also had RBIs as the new division leaders kept piling on.

Boston jumped a half-game ahead of the rival New York Yankees, who have lost seven in a row for their longest slide in a single season since April 2007.

"It's good to see the way guys have responded when guys have been down," Farrell said. "To do it on the road, to continue to win, that's a sign this team is becoming special."

Most of Boston's damage came against Royals youngster Matt Strahm (2-4), who struggled to follow up his dazzling first career start. The left-hander with a delivery eerily similar to Sale's was hammered for five runs on seven hits and a walk before exiting with nobody out in the fourth.

Strahm allowed one unearned run in five innings last week against the Angels.

"Just mistakes. I've just got to do better with more quality pitches," he said. "Just making quality two-strike pitches was my nemesis today."

Sale dominated a Royals lineup that had slugged its way to eight wins in nine games, striking out the side in the fifth for good measure. The long, lean lefty was finally lifted after Bonifacio's homer and a base hit by Brandon Moss.

The dominant performance came after Sale twirled a complete game in his last start at Kansas City, allowing two earned runs while striking out 10 in a 7-4 victory last Sept. 16 for the White Sox.

"He locates all his pitches, throws hard and has great stuff," Moustakas said. "You just try to put the ball in play, try not to get to two strikes. I was able to do that in that first at-bat."

PAINFUL PANDA

Sandoval went on the disabled list before the game with an inner ear infection. The pain began for the Red Sox third baseman a few days ago, but Farrell said Sandoval's temperature kept climbing. The DL stint also gives Sandoval a mental break after a rough start to the season.

ROSTER MOVES

Along with putting Sandoval on the DL, the Red Sox optioned RHP Austin Maddox to Triple-A Pawtucket.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Red Sox: Pedroia (ribs) still felt discomfort while swinging in the cage before the game, though Farrell said it's possible the second baseman could play Wednesday. ... LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (right knee) went through fielding practice before the game. He plans to throw to hitters on Saturday.

Royals: LHP Danny Duffy (right oblique) threw about 40 pitches off the mound to hitters before the game and reported no problems. He plans to throw a side session Friday and could begin a rehab assignment next week. "Felt great, looked great," manager Ned Yost said.

UP NEXT

Red Sox: LHP Drew Pomeranz tries to build on a solid start at Houston in the series finale Wednesday afternoon. Pomeranz allowed one run while pitching into the seventh inning against the Astros.

Royals: RHP Ian Kennedy will be coming off his first win since Sept. 11 when he starts for Kansas City. Kennedy retired the first 17 hitters he faced in a 3-1 victory over the Angels.

* The Kansas City Star

Royals can't solve Chris Sale, fall 8-3 to the Red Sox

Rustin Dodd

On a Tuesday last December, inside a posh hotel in National Harbor, Md., the Royals and Boston Red Sox engineered a pair of trades that would shape their 2017 seasons.

In a suite on an upper floor, the Royals brain trust hammered out the details on a deal that would send closer Wade Davis to the Chicago Cubs for Jorge Soler, a decision that would trim salary and flip a short- term asset for a long-term piece. A few hours earlier, tucked in his own corner of the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Red Sox general manager Dave Dombrowski planned something even more audacious: a blockbuster deal to acquire White Sox ace Chris Sale.

As news of the Sale trade shook up baseball’s Winter Meetings, spreading across the property, Royals manager Ned Yost caught wind of the deal. The development delighted him, he said. After years of battling Sale in the American League Central, Yost let out a brief sigh of relief.

“I was glad we didn’t have to see him four or five times a year,” he said.

Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium put that feeling on full display. In an 8-3 loss to the Red Sox, the Royals managed just one run and two hits in eight innings before a late strike in the ninth. Rookie Jorge Bonifacio roped a two-run blast to deep left-center, ruining Sale’s quest for a complete game. The rest of the night was a reminder of how nasty Sale can be.

“We’ve seen him enough to realize how good he is,” said third baseman Mike Moustakas, who clubbed his 100th career homer in the second inning.

For 8 1/3 innings, Sale, the cantilevered left-hander, showed why he is a five-time All-Star and a Cy Young front-runner. He yielded just four hits. He struck out 10 for the 10th time this season. His ERA sat at 2.85 after he picked up his ninth victory, handing the Royals their second loss in 10 games.

“A guy like that, when he’s commanding all of his pitches, it’s a tough at-bat,” Moustakas said. “You just want to get early contact. Put the ball in play — or at least try to.

“He was on tonight.”

At one point, Sale retired 19 straight batters before stumbling in the ninth. Before that, the lone piece of damage came courtesy of Moustakas, who drilled his milestone homer to right field in the bottom of the second. After that, the Royals (34-36) were rendered powerless until Whit Merrifield drew a walk and Bonifacio clubbed his 10th homer in the ninth.

As Sale breezed, his counterpart, Royals left-hander Matt Strahm, was tripped up in the fourth inning. In his second start since joining the rotation, Strahm was on a pitch count of close to 85 pitches. He did not make it to that number. He opened the fourth by allowing four consecutive hits and three runs. He was pulled in favor of reliever Scott Alexander with nobody out and the Red Sox leading 4-1.

“They were hitting mistakes,” Strahm said. “And I’ve just got to be better with more quality pitches.”

The Royals are attempting to transition Strahm from the bullpen to the rotation in steps. For now, his pitch count must be built up to 100 pitches.

On Tuesday, his arm was tested on a humid night at Kauffman Stadium. Strahm said the conditions did not bother him, citing his childhood in North Dakota. His arm did not tire, he said. Yet Royals manager Ned Yost mentioned the humidity as a reason for Strahm’s erratic command. As the night pressed on, his pitches strayed up in the zone. In the fourth, his fastball sat at 90 mph and his change-up was up in the middle of the plate.

“It looked like the humidity,” Yost said. “He was really struggling. He was changing his shirt every inning, just struggling to keep his hand dry. (It was) one of those nights when he was up in the zone.”

Strahm explained the struggles in more blunt terms: He must be better with two strikes.

“I kind of crapped out there in the fourth,” he said. “Again, just making quality two-strike pitches was my nemesis today and I’ve got to do a better job.”

Kansas City can still salvage the series on Wednesday when Ian Kennedy starts against lefty Drew Pomeranz in a 1:15 p.m. matchup. Pomeranz, a 28-year-old left-hander with a 4.19 ERA, will offer a difficult test. Yet it will pale in comparison to the challenge of beating Sale.

As he took the mound at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday, Sale led the American League in strikeouts (136), innings (99) and FIP (1.77), an advanced metric that resembles ERA and judges pitchers independent of their defense. As he maneuvered through the Royals’ lineup, he unleashed a 95 mph fastball, a disappearing change-up and a slider that confounds left-handed hitters.

The Royals, of course, have a history of breaking through against Sale. In a 7-5 loss to the White Sox last June, first baseman Eric Hosmer stroked two homers while the Royals put up five runs in six innings. In addition to Hosmer, Moustakas, catcher Salvador Perez and shortstop Alcides Escobar had all piled up decent track records against Sale in the last two seasons. Yet, on Tuesday night, Sale was in vintage form.

Moustakas clubbed a 440-homer to right field in the second, his 19th of the year. Escobar led off the third with his 1,000th hit in a Royals uniform. And that was basically it … until the ninth.

“The score allows me to be more aggressive,” Sale said. “We scored a lot of runs today and that takes the pressure off a pitcher because you can make mistakes and it’s not the end of the world.”

The Royals remained 3 1/2 games back in the American League Central after the Cleveland Indians lost to the Baltimore Orioles. After a step back on Tuesday, they will continue their long climb back toward .500 on Wednesday.

They will not face Sale. That is the good news. As he stood in front of his locker late Tuesday, Moustakas attempted to explain the difficulty of hitting Sale. There is a 95 mph fastball. There is the slider. There is the change-up. And there is the command.

“It’s a tough at-bat when he’s throwing all of his pitches,” Moustakas said. “Especially when he’s raring back in the ninth inning and throwing 95 in the ninth.”