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Barnes Throws 1 Pitch Too Many In Boston's Loss To Royals

Boston right-hander Matt Barnes threw one pitch too many.

Barnes gave up a three-run homer to Salvador Perez on his final toss and the Kansas City Royals went on to beat the Red Sox 6-3 Saturday night, ending Boston's four-game winning streak.

"We felt like at that point and time in that final inning of his work that we wanted him to work through that situation," Boston interim manager Torey Lovullo said. "He throwing the ball really well and unfortunately he made a mistake to Perez."

The homer made it 5-0 and ended Barnes' second major league start.

Barnes (3-4) gave up five runs and eight hits in 5 1-3 innings.

"Those are situations you kind of learn from," Barnes said. "Even if the result isn't what you want, I think you almost learn more from that more than if you kind of actually (succeed) every single time. You're not going to succeed without some struggles first."

Mookie Betts hit a solo homer and David Ortiz had two singles and three walks for the Red Sox. Boston had won four of the five meetings with the AL Central leaders this season, and 10 of 12 since the start of 2014.

Yordano Ventura pitched six effective innings, Kendrys Morales added a two-run double and Alex Rios had three singles and an RBI for Kansas City. Following losses the first two nights, the Royals can earn a split of the four-game series Sunday.

Ventura (8-7) gave up one run and six hits, striking out six. He improved to 4-0 in his last six starts. Greg Holland got Travis Shaw to pop out with the bases loaded for final out, earning his 28th save.

Leading 2-0 in the sixth, Perez homered into Boston's bullpen.

Morales lined his double off the Green Monster in the first.

Ventura stranded five runners in the first four innings before Boston scored on Shaw's groundout in the sixth. Betts homered over the Monster off Ryan Madson.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Royals: OF Alex Gordon is set to start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha Sunday. He's been on the DL since early July with a strained groin. . C Perez took a foul ball off the mask and was shaken up, but stayed in the game.

Red Sox: Utility player Brock Holt was in the original lineup, but was scratched with a strained left oblique after batting practice. ... Ortiz fouled a ball off his right foot in his first at-bat, and limped a bit. ... Lovullo said RHP Rick Porcello (soreness, right triceps) could return on the upcoming road trip after he said he "felt great" at the end of a rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket Friday. . Lovullo said after the game that RHP Steven Wright (seven-day concussion DL) "is not going on the road trip." He said he need to be "reevaluated."

HOT PAPI

Ortiz reached a season-high five times and is hitting .352 since the All-Star break.

BRADLEY AGAIN

Jackie Bradley Jr. made a leaping catch at the low wall along the right-field line. On Friday, he made a diving grab in left when he came in as a defensive replacement.

UP NEXT

Royals: RHP Edinson Volquez (11-7) is scheduled to make his team-leading 26th start in the series finale Sunday. He's held hitters to a .178 average with runners in scoring position, second best in the AL.

Red Sox: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (7-5) is looking to follow his solid outing earlier this week. The rookie 22-year-old pitched eight innings of one-run ball, earning the win against Cleveland on Tuesday.

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