Jeremy Hermida and Jason Varitek went deep on back to back pitches off Cy Young winner Zack Greinke as the Boston Red Sox hit five homers in all during an 8-3 win Saturday night at Kaufmann Stadium.
Varitek hit two homers and Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia also also homered as the Royals have never beaten Josh Beckett.
Beckett allowed three runs and nine hits in seven innings. He had one walk and four strikeouts while beating the Royals for the fifth straight start. In eight career starts against the Royals, Beckett is 6-0.
Greinke pitched three shutout innings and then in fourth Hermida hit a 1-1 pitch leading off the fifth for his first home run. Varitek then hit Greinke’s next pitch out.
Greinke has given up five earned runs, one more than he allowed in his first eight starts a year ago. He gave up eight hits and four runs in 6 2/3 innings, with five strikeouts and no walks. He also hit two batters.
Jason Kendall, David DeJesus and Rick Ankiel had RBI singles.