The Royals opened the eighth down, 3-1, but broke through for four runs against Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes, who has been shouldering more responsibility due to the absence of Joe Kelly (left hamstring strain). Though all the runs were charged to Barnes, Gordon's triple came against lefty Robby Scott. Alcides Escobar tied it with a two-run single to right.
The Red Sox tried to turn the tables on the Royals in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases with two out against closer Kelvin Herrera. But Mookie Betts hit a shallow flyout to center to end the game.