Red Sox lose: Boston offense flat in first game of crucial series vs. Royals [Video]

BOSTON — The Red Sox couldn’t hit Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans on Friday.

Ragans pitched seven innings, struck out seven and walked one batter, earning the win and leading Kansas City past Boston, 6-1.

Boston had a rough start to the game, allowing four runs in two innings. Cooper Criswell was shaky early in his return to the mound for the Red Sox, but bounced back, only giving up one more run in the top of the fourth inning, but Boston’s bats never came around.

Despite his slow start, Criswell threw a career-high 104 pitches in six innings of work, keeping the Red Sox from using more bullpen arms than they needed to. Criswell gave up eight hits, walked two and struck out one in the loss. Criswell’s appearance on the mound was his first since being sent down to Triple-A Worcester in June.

Kansas City hit three-straight singles in the top of the first …