Sox Fall to Royals, 6-5

Boston's Julan Tavarez threw less than six innings in a sloppy outing last night, as the Sox fell to Kansas City 6-5. With New York finding its stride, the Sox are beginning to feel some heat in the AL East, and may replace the faltering Tavarez with prospect Jon Lester in the starting rotation. Last night's game is the 14th one-run decision Boston has dropped this year.

Lefty Odalis Perez, whom the Royals recently picked up from Los Angeles, got the win, improving to 5-8. Tavarez was not solely responsible for the Boston loss, however; third baseman Mike Lowell's career-high 14th error cost his club two runs in the fifth, and, after a Manny Ramirez blast in the same inning, the Boston bats were unable to come up big. (More Boston Red Sox stories.)