The Red Sox tried to get ahead of the rain. The weather had other ideas.
With extended heavy rain forecast through the early afternoon, first pitch for Sunday’s series finale between the Red Sox and Royals was moved from 1:35 p.m. to 3:05 p.m. This was announced Saturday.
The Red Sox announced that the 3:05 start would be moved back Sunday. First pitch was eventually pushed back an hour and 45 minutes, and is now lined up for 4:55 p.m.
The series finale features a battle of quality lefthanders.
Payton Tolle, the hard-throwing rookie, opposes Kansas City’s Noah Cameron after the Red Sox snapped a three-game skid with a 5-1 win Saturday.
The Red Sox went 4-for-8 with runners in scoring position Saturday. The offense supported a second straight seven-inning outing by Ranger Suarez, who fanned eight.
“It feels amazing [playing at Fenway Park],” Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu said. “Every time we’re winning, the crowd’s going crazy.”
Tolle has yet to face Kansas City thus far in his career.
“He’s having fun out there,” Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said. “Some guys are very intense, lock in when they start, and he has to have fun. That’s what makes him go. He’s enjoying himself out there.”
And how could he not be? Tolle has struck out double-digit batters twice in his last six starts, a feat he’s achieved three times this season.
The Red Sox activated first baseman Willson Contreras from the injured list. He played a pair of rehab games and will be starting at first base Sunday.
Here’s a preview of Sunday’s action.
Lineups
ROYALS (66-83): Loftin 3B, Witt Jr. SS, Caglianone DH, Perez 1B, Massey 2B, Lugo RF, Collins LF, Maile C, Tolbert CF
Pitching: LHP Noah Cameron (9-8, 3.93 ERA)
RED SOX (81-68): Anthony LF, Jones DH, Abreu RF, Contreras 1B, Rutschman C, Story SS, Durbin 3B, Sogard 2B, Eaton CF
Pitching: LHP Payton Tolle (9-6, 3.15 ERA)
Time: 3:05 p.m.
TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7
Royals vs. Tolle: Has not faced any Kansas City batters
Red Sox vs. Cameron: Mickey Gasper 0-1, Jahmai Jones 0-2, Isiah Kiner-Falefa 0-4, Adley Rutschman 0-3
Stat of the day: Entering the series in Boston, Kansas City’s three most recent losses had come by a combined four runs.
Notes: The Royals have dropped five of their last eight games. ... Kansas City native catcher Carter Jensen tied the franchise’s single-season rookie record with his 24th home run on Saturday. He has now posted 12 consecutive hits for extra bases, which is the longest streak by any rookie since 1961. ... Cameron has pitched shutout ball in three of his last five outings. ... The Royals have been held to one or fewer runs in 26 different games this season. On the flip side, no team has held their opponent within that scoring range in more contests than the Red Sox (38). ... Anthony Seigler was placed on the 10-day IL with right wrist inflammation. Seigler left Saturday’s contest in the seventh inning with wrist soreness.
Cam Kerry can be reached at cam.kerry@globe.com.