KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- James Shields picked up his first home win in more than three months and the Kansas City Royals have won seven consecutive series for the first time in 22 years.

Shields pitched seven strong innings, Alex Gordon homered and the Kansas City Royals beat the Boston Red Sox 4-3 on Sunday.

The Royals improved to 18-5 since the All-Star break, winning every series. The last time they won seven straight series was 1991.

"It's huge," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "You can't understate it. The fact of the matter is that's nice, but it doesn't mean anything tomorrow.

"It's big, but you've got to keep plugging. I wouldn't classify it as a statement (series) win. But it's still the team with the best record came in and we won three out of four. We're playing great baseball right now. We just have to maintain our focus on that."

Shields (7-8), who had not won at Kauffman Stadium since an April 30 victory over Tampa Bay, limited the Red Sox to three runs and seven hits over seven innings. He struck out five and walked three.

"I feel like ever since the All-Star break, we've been making a statement," Shields said. "We're here to stay and compete. Our bullpen has been phenomenal. Our defense has been great. We're getting some good timely hitting."

Gordon hit a 2-2 pitch from John Lackey (7-10) out to right in the third inning for his third homer in five games.

"He went through a little down period about a week ago, but the last week he's been really swinging the bat really, really well," Yost said. "The thing about Alex is when he gets hot, he can carry you for a while."

Lackey, who is 0-4 in his past five starts, walked David Lough and Eric Hosmer to lead off the first. Gordon's two-out single scored Lough to tie it at 1.

Shane Victorino scored Boston's first run when he doubled in the first, stole third and came home on catcher Salvador Perez's errant pickoff throw.

The Royals scored two runs in the third, with Jarrod Dyson and Lough delivering RBI singles. Dyson's hit drove home Mike Moustakas, who doubled to start the inning. Dyson stole second and scored on Lough's flare to shallow right.