Boston ? Brian Bannister did everything he could to stop Boston’s winning streak.

Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka did, too.

David DeJesus drove in a pair of runs for the Kansas City Royals in their 4-3 victory over Boston on Thursday night.

Boston’s five-game winning streak came to an end against one of baseball’s worst teams a day after the Red Sox finished a three-game sweep at Tampa Bay, which has the best record in the big leagues at 33-15.

Matsuzaka (3-2) walked a season-high eight while allowing three runs over 42/3 innings, in his first start since a no-hit bid against the Phillies was broken up with two outs in the eighth.

“He’s the most relaxed one out there, and we are all on the edge of our seats,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. “Obviously eight walks, a hit batter and a wild pitch … it is a hard way to be successful.”

Bannister (4-3) gave up three runs on nine hits and struck out four while winning his third straight. He won for the first time in five decisions against the Red Sox.

“I haven’t won here so it is good to get over that hump,” Bannister said. “This is how it is supposed to look … the ‘pen did their job, we fielded well and we hit well.”

Joakim Soria pitched a perfect ninth for his 12th save.

After working his way out of a bases-loaded jam with no outs in the fourth inning without allowing a run, Matsuzaka completely fell apart in the fifth.

He walked five batters — a career high — in the inning, sandwiched around an RBI single by DeJesus.