For five innings, Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield was in control of the Kansas City Royals. But in the sixth, Rick Ankiel broke out of his hitting slump leading the Royals to a 4-3 win over the Red Sox.

Going into Friday night’s game, Ankiel had gone 2-12 over his first three games of the season. He broke out of that by going 4-4, including the go ahead single in the bottom of the eighth which drove in David DeJesus and Willie Bloomquist. Ankiel also hit a solo home run in the sixth, right after a long ball from Billy Butler.

Royals starter Kyle Davies went six innings giving up three runs on six hits. All three of the Boston runs would come in the top of the fourth inning.

Robinson Tejada, Kyle Farnsworth, Juan Cruz and Lance Parrish would come in after that and keep Boston off the scoreboard. Joakim Soria pitched a perfect ninth inning to get his first save of the season.

The three game series continues tonight as Zack Greinke will get the start for Kansas City. Boston will counter with Josh Beckett.

Game time is 7:10 Saturday night at Kauffman Stadium.