Pablo Sandoval cranks a double in the win over the Royals (photo/MLB)
Yohan Pino made his first start, and Boston roughed him up for six runs and 11 hits in 5.1 innings in a 7-3 final in this series opener at Kauffman Stadium.
Pino was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to fill in for Yordano Ventura, who went on the disabled list with ulnar nerve inflammation and the Sox hit him hard.
Boston finished with 16-hits including Pablo Sandoval, who doubled and singled, extendnig his hitting streak to nine games. Sandoval loves Royals pitching. He hit .429 against them in the World Series. He was back in the lineup after sitting out a game for using his cellphone during Wednesday’s game in Atlanta.
The Royals couldn’t get the hits when they need against Boston rookie Eduardo Rodriguez, who allowed one run and six hits in 6 1/3 innings.