The Boston Red Sox continued to look like the defending World champs, as they powered their way past the Royals on Thursday to sweep a series which has been very eventful. Daisuke Matsuzaka improved his record to 8-0 to close out a series which saw Jon Lester's first no-hitter, Bartolo Colon's successful return to a starting rotation, and rookie Justin Masterson's first career victory.

Thursday's game was all about the Red Sox bats though, as JD Drew and Mike Lowell both hit grand slams, Drew in the 2nd and Lowell in the 6th. Royals starter Brian Bannister was yanked after 5 1/3 innings in which the Sox knocked 7 runs on 12 hits out of him.

Matsuzaka allowed six walks but only allowed three runs before leaving in the 6th. The Royals looked poised for a comeback in the 7th and 8th, as they put up 5 runs over the course of the two frames, but Jonathan Papelbon was lights out in the 9th as he recorded his 14th save of the season.