Bruce Chen picked up his first victory of the season, Alcides Escobar drove in the go-ahead run and the Kansas City Royals held off the Boston Red Sox 4-3 last night.

Jonathan Broxton worked around a leadoff single and walk in the ninth inning for his seventh save in eight opportunities.

The Royals finished 4-3 on their homestand against Boston and the New York Yankees. The Red Sox have lost seven of eight after losing two of three to Kansas City.

Chen (1-4) gave up three runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings while striking out five and walking none. The Royals were winless in his first six starts this season.

The Royals beat Jon Lester (1-3) for the first time since Aug. 8, 2006. The left-hander came into the game with a 5-1 record and 1.30 ERA in seven career starts against Kansas City, including a no-hitter in 2008.

Escobars double in the fourth scored Irving Falu, who led off the inning with a double, to put the Royals ahead 4-3.

Lesters pitch count rose early with a 38-pitch first inning, but 12 of those were after center fielder Marlon Byrds error led to three unearned runs.

Lester was pulled after 108 pitches and five innings, giving up four runs on six hits and a walk.

In the first inning, Byrd misjudged Johnny Giavotellas two-out liner and the ball ricocheted off his glove as he jumped for it. The misplay allowed Billy Butler, who had walked, to score.

Brayan Pena then hit a two-run double to left-center that Cody Ross nearly caught. Ross had his glove on the ball, but it came loose and hit the wall. Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine debated Ross held onto the ball long enough the umpires held a conference on the field, but did not change the ruling.

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Royals 4, Red Sox 3: Two out of three is bad