Duran’s 2-run homer rallies Red Sox to a 4-3 win over the Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jarren Duran’s two-run homer in the seventh inning led the Boston Red Sox to a 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night.

With one out and one out in the seventh inning, Duran sent reliever Stephen Cruz’s fastball 366 feet into the bullpen in left field for his sixth homer, helping the Red Sox complete a series sweep of the struggling Royals. The Red Sox’ three-game winning streak matches a season high.

Connelly Early (4-2) allowed three runs on two swings — a Salvador Perez solo homer in the first and an Elias Diaz hit in the fifth. The 24-year-old lefty allowed six hits and struck out five in 6 1/3 innings.

Wilson Contreras had three of the Red Sox’s 11 hits, including his second triple in four years. In the second inning, Contreras tripled into the right corner before scoring on Nick Sogard’s single.

Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman recorded his 12th save and converted his 26th straight save opportunity.

Perez hit three hits, including his 135th career home run at Kauffman Stadium. He is just shy of the record held by George Brett.

Diaz’s 405-foot homer to left-center in the fifth inning gave the Royals a 3-2 lead.

Michael Wacha allowed two runs, one earned on six hits and two walks with eight strikeouts in six innings. It was his fourth straight start and eighth in the American League this season.

Cruz (0-2) faced four batters and allowed two runs on two hits. It was his first runs allowed in six games since being called up from Triple-A Omaha on May 8.

The Royals (20-30) lost for the ninth time in 10 games and fell to a season-worst 10 games under .500. Kansas City was swept in a series for the fourth time this season, tied for the most in MLB.

The Red Sox start a homestand on Friday with LHP Payton Tolle (2-2, 2.05 ERA) facing off against Twins LHP Connor Prielipp (1-2, 2.88).

The Royals have not named a starter to face Mariners RHP Logan Gilbert (2-4, 4.45 ERA) on Friday in Kansas City.