Kansas City, Mo. ? Jon Lester curbed the Kansas City Royals on three hits for six-plus innings, and Jason Varitek tripled for the first time in more than four years as Boston beat the Royals on Sunday.

Lester (13-7) has allowed two runs and six hits in 13 innings in his past two starts to beat Kansas City and Tampa Bay. He is 5-1 with a 1.30 ERA in seven career starts against the Royals.