Boston, MA -- (Sports Network) - Dustin Pedroia knocked in the lone run of the game and Jon Lester hurled eight scoreless innings as Boston nipped Kansas City, 1-0, in the second contest of a four-game set from Fenway Park.

Lester (8-6) scattered four hits and two walks while striking out eight for the Red Sox, who have won three of four.

The loss stained a great performance by starter Brian Bannister (6-7), who allowed only three hits and a run over 7 2/3 frames for the Royals, who have dropped three of four.

Mark Kotsay led off the eighth with a base hit then was lifted for a pinch runner, who was sacrificed to second by Nick Green. He went to third on a wild pitch then scored as Pedroia rapped a double to left-center.

"I never squared up a ball. So, my biggest thing was try to hit it on the barrel, it doesn't matter where it goes. I just tried to stay inside the ball," said Pedroia of his approach on the key at-bat. "It was cutter and it still wasn't straight."

Jonathan Papelbon closed out the game by retiring the side in order for his 23rd save.

In a scoreless deadlock, the Sox had the best chance to get on the board during their fifth-inning at-bat. Jacoby Ellsbury singled -- the first hit allowed by Bannister -- and stole second, then Jason Varitek walked. Kotsay grounded into a fielder's choice, leaving runners on the corners.

Then, with Green at the plate, Bannister bounced a ball in the dirt. Varitek was caught in a rundown between first and second trying to advance and Royals first baseman Billy Butler threw home apparently in time to get the breaking Ellsbury despite replays which showed his leg touching home before a tag.

Ellsbury slammed his helmet after the call and was ejected by home plate umpire Derryl Cousins. Rocco Baldelli took his spot in center for the remainder of the game.

KC had two on with none out in the seventh, but Miguel Olivo flew into a double play and John Buck grounded out. Bannister sent the Sox down in order in the home half and limited the home team to just one hit through seven.

"He did a good job. We didn't make too many adjustments off of him," said Royals manager Trey Hillman of Lester. "He had good stuff. He had good stuff and we didn't have the ability to make the adjustments we needed to square it up more than we did."

Game Notes:

Boston has won seven of the last nine matchups dating back to the start of last season...Mark Teahen of Kansas City was the only player on either side to have a multi-hit game, going 3-for-4.