Dustin Pedroia continued his impressive hitting at Kauffman Stadium, driving in three including the go-ahead run single in the fifth as the Boston Red Sox edge the Royals 4-3 in the first of their four-game series.

Pedroia is 24-for-48 with 12 RBI’s in his career in Kansas City after going 3-for-4 Thursday night, helping Boston remain a half-game behind the Yankees in the AL East.

Josh Beckett allowed all three runs over the first three innings for the win, allowing seven hits over seven innings to snap a four-game winless stretch and move to 7-1 lifetime against the Royals.

Alex Gordon homered for the second straight game. His two-run shot in the third tied the game at three. He also doubled.

Luke Hochevar (8-10) fanned six, but was tagged with eight hits and four runs over six innings as the Royals lose for the ninth time in 11 games.

Jeff Francis pitches Friday night with Royals pre-game at 6:35pm on KAYS (1400-AM).