Boston’s Vicente Romo outdueled Kansas City’s Roger Nelson, and the Red Sox withstood two late rallies to capture a 1-0 win over the Royals at Municipal Stadium.

Romo held the Royals to three hits in 7 2/3 innings. He struck out five and walked one. Kansas City only had one runner reach third base while Romo was on the mound.

Nelson was nearly as good. He pitched eight innings, giving up six hits while striking out two and walking none.

The lone run of the game came in the sixth. Mike Andrews led off with a single, and took second on a groundout. Reggie Smith’s two-out single scored Andrews.

The Royals had a couple of late chances to tie the score or even take the lead. Romo had retired eight straight entering the eighth inning, and ran that streak to 10 with two quick outs. Jackie Hernandez kept the inning alive with a bunt single. Pinch-hitter Lou Piniella singled, and Hernandez reached third. But reliever Sparky Lyle retired pinch-hitter Hawk Taylor on a popup to end the threat.

After the Red Sox left two men on in the top of the ninth, the Royals mounted another threat. With two outs, Ed Kirkpatrick reached on an Andrews error. Buck Martinez singled, with Kirkpatrick stopping at second. Reliever Sonny Siebert took over for Lyle and walked Joe Foy to load the bases. But Jerry Adair grounded out to end the game.

The Royals fell to 48-70 with the loss. They were in fourth place in the AL West, 22.5 games behind Minnesota.

Box score and play-by-play: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KCA/KCA196908170.shtml

Today’s birthdays: Brad Wellman (1959), Jim Converse (1971)