Red Sox 4, Royals 3: Pedro Ciriaco drove in the tying and go-ahead runs in the seventh inning and David Ortiz made a strong return to the lineup as host Boston shook off the distractions and snapped a four-game slide.

Jon Lester (8-10) worked seven-plus innings and Jacoby Ellsbury had two hits for the Red Sox, who are reportedly in talks on a blockbuster trade that would send Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett and others to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Gonzalez was pulled from the starting lineup just before the game but Ortiz was back to provide some power, returning after more than a month spent on the disabled list. He recorded hits in each of his first two at-bats, including a two-run single in the first.

The Royals tied it in the second inning on a solo home run from Eric Hosmer and an RBI double from Alex Gordon before taking the lead in the fourth. Lester struggled to find the strike zone in loading the bases and Johnny Giavotella made him pay with an RBI infield single.

Boston got that run and one more back in the seventh. Starter Bruce Chen was removed after issuing a leadoff walk and Kelvin Herrera (1-2) yielded a single to Mike Aviles before both runners moved up on a sacrifice.

Ciriaco followed and dropped the head of the bat down on an inside fastball, keeping it just fair down the left field line for a two-run double.

Andrew Bailey worked a scoreless ninth to earn his first save for the Red Sox.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Gonzalez was a late scratch from the lineup and INF Nick Punto, who is also part of the proposed deal, were called into the clubhouse. … Lester left the game in the eighth inning with an apparent leg injury. The left-hander slipped on the mound and grabbed at the back of his leg before being lifted. … Royals first-round draft pick Kyle Zimmer underwent minor elbow surgery to remove loose bodies on Thursday. … The Red Sox optioned RHP Junichi Tazawa to Triple-A to make room for Ortiz.