KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 19 (UPI) -- Pedro Martinez allowed only one hit in eight scoreless innings and was supported by Shea Hillenbrand's three-run triple in the sixth inning Friday night to give the Boston Red Sox a 4-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals.
Martinez (2-0), who has won the Cy Young Award three times, including twice with the Red Sox, struggled in two of his first three outings but was nearly unhittable against the Royals.
The Dominican righthander allowed only two runners -- both in the fourth inning -- and struck out six. He threw 68 of 92 pitches for strikes and did not walk a batter.
Hillenbrand leads the American League with 20 RBI after stroking a bases-loaded triple off Kansas City reliever Blake Stein with two outs in the fourth.
Royals starter Chris George (0-1) was charged with the loss after putting runners at the corners with one out.
Boston has won four straight games and improved to 3-0 on an eight-game road trip.
