Rafael Devers’ home run helps the Boston Red Sox win the series over the Kansas City Royals

BOSTON (AP) — Rafael Devers hit a two-run homer that broke a seat deep in right field at Fenway Park, Dominic Smith also had a two-run shot and the Boston Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 on Sunday to win the Series.

The Red Sox won for the second straight year after losing the opening game. Boston improved to a major league record of 9-3 in July and is 20-8 since June 12.

All-Star Devers sent a slider by Brady Singer (5-6) in the first inning with an estimated takeoff speed of 114.7 mph an estimated distance of 439 feet, crashing into the top of a seat and loosening the top bracket. The Red Sox posted a “Fenway Facilities Incident Report” on their social media pages that included a picture of the broken red seat.

“The kid is busy,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said of Devers, who opted out of the All-Star game to rest his shoulder pain. “Just take care of him this week. He’s not going to Texas for a reason, right. He wants to be ready for the second part, get treatment during the week and stay healthy.”

When Cora was told that the home run had broken a seat, she joked that someone had to tell the owner, John Henry. She said, “That’s right? You have to tell John.”

Adam Frazier opened the game with a home run in the Royals’ bullpen and All-Star Salvador Perez, selected for his ninth Midsummer Classic, hit a solo home run for Kansas City in the Green Monster seats.

First-time All-Star Jarren Duran had four hits for the Red Sox, who improved to 15-1 on Sundays, a majors record. Boston surprisingly enters the All-Star break 4 1/2 games back of first place in the AL East after finishing in last place three of the last four years.

“Today was just a good overall win for the team,” said Duran. “I’ve said it many times this year. We’re hanging in there and I love it.”

Brayan Bello (10-5) overcame his difficulties at home, pitching 6 1/3 innings and allowing three runs and seven hits, posting a 6.55 ERA in his seven starts at Fenway.

Kenley Jansen made the final six outs, striking out three, and earned his 19th save and the 439th of his career. He allowed a run in the ninth inning but got Nick Loftin to ground out with a runner on second base to end the game. It was his first two-inning save in a regular season.

Smith’s throw traveled an estimated 431 feet and overcame Boston’s bullpen to make it 4-1 in the second. He added a key RBI single to make it 5-3 in the seventh.

Singer had allowed just one run in each of his previous four starts, but allowed four runs and eight hits in 2 2/3 innings.

The Royals enter the break with 52 wins, three fewer than the most before the All-Star Game in team history, behind the 1973 club.

“I don’t really care about last year’s record at this point,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “This is a new team. This is a bunch of guys busting their asses to compete in the playoffs, and that’s what’s exciting.”

TRAINING ROOM

Royals: OF MJ Melendez left the game limping with a sprained left ankle after batting away a fielder’s choice grounder that scored a run in the fourth inning. … C Perez was the DH for the second straight game after leaving Friday’s game early because of cramping.

Red Sox: OF Tyler O’Neill was back in the lineup after his Saturday off.

NEXT

Royals: Begin a nine-game home series after the All-Star break, beginning Friday with the Chicago White Sox.

Red Sox: Begin a six-game road trip after the break, with the first of three games Friday at the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb