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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- James Shields picked up his first home win in more than three months and the Kansas City Royals have won seven consecutive series for the first time in 22 years. Shields pitched seven strong innings, Alex Gordon homered and the Kansas City Royals beat the Boston Red Sox 4-3 on Sunday. The Royals improved to 18-5 since the All-Star break, winning every series. The last time they won seven straight series was 1991. "Its huge," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "You cant understate it. The fact of the matter is thats nice, but it doesnt mean anything tomorrow. " Its big, but youve got to keep plugging. I wouldnt classify it as a statement (series) win. But its still the team with the best record came in and we won three out of four. Were playing great baseball right now. We just have to maintain our focus on that." Shields (7-8), who had not won at Kauffman Stadium since an April 30 victory over Tampa Bay, limited the Red Sox to three runs and seven hits over seven innings. He struck out five and walked three. "I feel like ever since the All-Star break, weve been making a statement," Shields said. "Were here to stay and compete. Our bullpen has been phenomenal. Our defence has been great. Were getting some good timely hitting." Gordon hit a 2-2 pitch from John Lackey (7-10) out to right in the third inning for his third homer in five games. "He went through a little down period about a week ago, but the last week hes been really swinging the bat really, really well," Yost said. "The thing about Alex is when he gets hot, he can carry you for a while." Lackey, who is 0-4 in his past five starts, walked David Lough and Eric Hosmer to lead off the first. Gordons two-out single scored Lough to tie it at 1. Shane Victorino scored Bostons first run when he doubled in the first, stole third and came home on catcher Salvador Perezs errant pickoff throw. The Royals scored two runs in the third, with Jarrod Dyson and Lough delivering RBI singles. Dysons hit drove home Mike Moustakas, who doubled to start the inning. Dyson stole second and scored on Loughs flare to shallow right. After a rocky start, Lackey lasted seven innings, giving up four runs and seven hits and two walks, while striking out five. "It was a grind early," Lackey said. "I wasnt feeling really great. I had a couple of 3-2 counts and didnt make my pitch. I was lucky to get the ground ball for the double play in the first and then I found my groove and started to make my pitches." "For me to walk two in one inning let alone to lead off the game is hard to believe. I didnt execute and I lost the game." Ryan Lavarnways two-out single in the sixth scored Daniel Nava and Stephen Drew, trimming the Kansas City lead to 4-3. Drew went 2 for 4 and is hitting .422 in his season-high, 12-game hitting streak. Nava is convinced the Royals are a playoff contender. "Of course," Nava said. "Everyone realizes with their offence and pitching its just a matter of time before they click." Royals relievers Tim Collins, Aaron Crow and Greg Holland, who earned his 32nd save in 34 opportunities, worked two scoreless innings to protect the one-run lead. The bullpen has allowed one run in 20 innings on this homestand. Notes: The Royals obtained IF Jamey Carroll from the Minnesota Twins in a trade after the game for a player to be named or cash considerations. Yost said Carroll would platoon with Chris Getz, when he returns from the disabled list, at second base and backup third and shortstop. ... IF Miguel Tejada, 39, was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right calf as the Royals made seven roster moves. Perez came off the concussion list, while RHP Wade Davis was removed from the family emergency leave list and will start Monday against Miami. IF Irving Falu was recalled from Triple-A Omaha. LHP Donnie Joseph was optioned to Omaha, while C Brett Hayes was designated for assignment. ... Red Sox RHP Clay Buchholz, who was 9-0 with a 1.71 ERA before going on the disabled list June 9 with a neck strain, threw another side session Sunday and is scheduled to throw again Tuesday. "Well get through Tuesday before we determine that," Red Sox manager John Farrell said of sending Buchholz out on a rehab assignment. ... Royals 2B Elliot Johnson is hitless in his past 27 at-bats and 1 for 49 since June 19. Custom Raiders Jerseys . -- Arizona raced out to a big lead and did not back off, hitting the accelerator instead. Cheap Custom Raiders Jersey . Didier Drogba gave away the penalty that put Senegal one goal away from a major upset, but the veteran striker will get another chance -- probably his last -- at the World Cup after Salomon Kalous injury-time strike sealed the Ivorians place in Brazil next year. http://www.customraidersjersey.com/ .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. Wholesale Custom Raiders Shirts . The giant slalom world champion slipped during her first run in the morning, landing on her back and then twisting forward before getting her leg caught in the protective material on the side of the slope. Authentic Custom Raiders Jersey . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers.West Ham will not make the loan signings of Alex Song, Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike permanent in the summer, according to Sky sources. The trio are currently on-loan to West Ham until the end of the campaign from Barcelona, Chelsea and Al Ain respectively. West Ham have the option to make all the deals permanent, but Sky sources understand the Hammers have decided not to do so. Song joined West Ham on a season-long loan from Barcelona in August 2014 and enjoyed a hugely impressive first four months at the club, playing a leading role under then-manager Sam Allardyce.However, West Ham did not take up the option to make Songs move to the club permanent at the end of last season after midfielder sustained an ankle injury. Song missed the start of the season because of an ankle injury Song did re-join West Ham in August, on a second season-long loan, but remained on the sidelines for a further three months because of that injury before making his long-awaited return as a late substitute in the 4-1 defeat at Tottenham. The 28-year-old has struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular under Slaven Bilic this season and has started just eight Premier League matches. Victor Moses has failed to start in the Premier League since suffering a hamstring injury at Old Trafford Song has also been an unused substitute in West Hams previous three games.dddddddddddd Moses completed a season-long loan move to West Ham on the same day as Song and enjoyed a productive start to life at the Boleyn Ground, starting 11 matches and scoring in the 2-1 victory over Manchester City. A hamstring injury in the goalless draw with Manchester United in December saw Moses miss six weeks of the season and he has not started in the Premier League since. Emmanuel Emenike has scored twice since joining on-loan in January Emenike joined West Ham on a six-month loan deal in January after the east London club decided to sell Nikica Jelavic to Chinese second division side Guizhou Renhe. The 29-year-old forward has scored two goals in nine appearances - both goals coming in the 5-1 FA Cup fifth-round victory over Blackburn Rovers - and started Saturdays 2-2 home draw with Crystal Palace. Also See: West Ham to appeal Kouyate red Payet up there with the best Ten-man West Ham held by Palace WATCH: Hammers amateur surprise ' ' '