BOSTON — Dustin Pedroia doubled in a run in the eighth inning, Jon Les- ter outdueled Brian Bannister and the Boston Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 1-0 on Friday night.
Lester (8-6) allowed four hits through eight innings, but Bannister (6-7) gave up just one hit through seven.
Then Mark Kotsay, playing with a calf injury, led off the bottom of the eighth with a clean single to center. Aaron Bates, called up to the majors for the first time Monday, pinch ran and took second on Nick Green’s sacrifice bunt.
Bannister threw a wild pitch in the dirt, and Bates moved to third. Pedroia, coming off consecutive three-hit games, hit his first ball out of the infield Friday for a double off the left-field wall to break the tie.
Bannister intentionally walked Kevin Youkilis before John Bale came on and retired David Ortiz on a groundout.
Jonathan Papelbon got the last three outs for his 23rd save in 25 opportunities.
Lester walked two and had eight strikeouts. Bannister went 7 2/3 innings, giving up three hits and four walks while striking out seven.
Both starters entered the game on a roll.
Lester was 4-1 in his previous seven starts with a 1.74 ERA. The last time he faced the Royals, he pitched a no-hitter May 19, 2008, at Fenway Park. In his previous game against them, he gave up one hit in eight scoreless innings on July 18, 2006.
Bannister had a 2.48 ERA in his last six starts but just a 2-3 record.
On Friday, he held the Red Sox hitless through four innings, allowing only walks to Youkilis in the first and J.D. Drew in the third.
