Red Sox 5, Royals 1: Cody Ross drove in three runs and Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched seven strong innings in his return from the disabled list as host Boston clinched a win in the four-game series.

Jacoby Ellsbury added a solo homer and James Loney drove in his second run in as many games since joining the team as the Red Sox picked up back-to-back wins for the first time since Aug. 5 and 6.

Matsuzaka (1-3) was making only his sixth start of the season and first since July 2 because of a neck injury. The veteran right-hander showed no rust, yielding only an unearned run in the first inning and scattering five hits while walking two and striking out six.

Ellsbury got that run back in the bottom of the first, lining his second home run into the right field corner off the top of the short wall and into the first row.

Ross gave Boston the lead in the third, slamming a curveball from Luke Hochevar off the top of the wall in left field to plate Scott Podsednik and Dustin Pedroia. Ross was thrown out at second base on a great throw from left fielder Alex Gordon.

Ross would not let Gordon get him again in the sixth, hustling hard out of the box on another shot off the wall and sliding in safely at second as Ellsbury scored to make it 4-1. Ross came in to score three pitches later on Loney’s single to left.

Hochevar (7-12) pitched an eight-inning complete game and was charged with five runs - four earned - on eight hits while walking one and striking out six.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Boston placed DH David Ortiz (Achilles) on the 15-day disabled list. Ortiz spent more than a month on the DL before returning Friday and re-aggravating the injury. He will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection in hopes of returning this season. OF Ryan Kalish was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket to take his spot on the roster. … The Red Sox sent RHP Pedro Beato to Pawtucket to activate Matsuzaka. … Kansas City recalled RHP Vin Mazzaro and sent RHP Jeremy Jeffress to Double-A. … Boston will begin a nine-game west coast trip at Los Angeles on Tuesday while the Royals head home for a 10-game stay, starting with three games against Detroit.