Boston, MA -- (Sports Network) - Justin Masterson allowed three hits and one run over 6 1/3 innings, and Coco Crisp knocked in the winning run as Boston slipped past Kansas City, 2-1, in the second of four from Fenway Park.

Masterson (1-0), making his second career major-league start after being called up from Double-A Portland, fanned five and walked three en route to his first big-league win.

Jonathan Papelbon recorded his 13th save of the season, and third in as many chances, with 1 1/3 scoreless relief innings.

Julio Lugo also drove in a run and David Ortiz had a pair of hits for the Red Sox, who have won five straight games.

Starter Gil Meche (3-6) took the loss for Kansas City despite a solid outing, charged with five hits and two runs with eight strikeouts over seven full frames.

Alex Gordon collected three hits and John Buck knocked in the lone run for the Royals, losers in three of their last four.

After Jon Lester held the visitors hitless on Monday, it took the Royals three batters to spoil any similar bid for Masterson. Gordon doubled to left with two out in the first but was stranded after Jose Guillen grounded out.

Boston then picked up a pair of runs in the second on a sacrifice fly from Lugo and a ground-rule RBI double by Crisp. Youkilis began the charge with a one out single, followed by J.D. Drew's base hit. Jason Varitek walked then Lugo's fly plated Youkilis and Drew followed on the Crisp two-bagger.

Masterson held the Royals at bay from there, allowing just two more hits, both to Gordon -- a third inning single and a double in the sixth -- until the seventh.

Mark Teahen walked and Billy Butler grounded out moving him to second, and ending Masterson's night. Javier Lopez got Ross Gload to strike out looking and Manny Delcarmen was called on but allowed Buck's base hit to center which scored Teahen and brought the Royals within 2-1.

Meche continued his strong outing by setting down the Sox in the home half, but the Royals failed to score with the bases loaded in the eighth thanks to Hideki Okajima and Papelbon.

Papelbon avoided any drama in the ninth by setting down Gload, Buck and pinch- hitter Miguel Olivo in order to end the game.

Game Notes

The 23-year-old Masterson allowed one run and two hits over six innings in his first start on April 24 in an eventual 7-5 loss to the Angels...Prior to the game, the Sox announced that veteran relief pitcher Julian Tavarez accepted a minor-league assignment to Pawtucket...Red Sox left-fielder Manny Ramirez remained stuck on 498 career home runs after an 0-for-4 game which included three strikeouts...The clubs combined to strike out 21 times in the contest, 11 to Kansas City.