Colon is sharp in return to majors

BOSTON -- Bartolo Colon made a solid return to the majors after recovering from an elbow injury, posting his first win since June as the Boston Red Sox defeated the Kansas City Royals, 6-3, on Wednesday night.

The 2005 Cy Young Award winner gave up two runs in five innings in his first game since Sept. 29, when he pitched one scoreless relief inning for the Angels. He became a free agent after the season and signed a minor league contract with Boston on Feb. 25.

Jacoby Ellsbury had three hits, including a leadoff home run in the first inning, and scored three runs. Dustin Pedroia also had three hits and Jason Varitek hit a home run.

The Red Sox won their sixth consecutive game and ninth in a row at home to increase their lead in the American League East to two games over Tampa Bay, which lost to Oakland.

Colon struck out four, walked two and threw 74 pitches, 46 for strikes, after being called up from triple-A Pawtucket, where he had made three rehab starts.

Last year, he won his first five decisions but lost his final six.