Red Sox News & Notes: Dustin Pedroia Leads Boston to 11th Straight
Dustin Pedroia made a pivotal play in extra innings to help the Boston Red Sox defeat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 Sunday night at Tropicana Field.
The Boston Red Sox have extended their winning streak to 11 games with a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Furthermore, the victory decreased the magic number to clinch the AL East title to just 2 games.
Just a day after leading the Red Sox to a 6-4 win over the AL East rivals, Dustin Pedroia came up clutch again in the 10th inning of Sundays game. Pedroia’s base-running play to score the go-ahead run wasn’t as loud as his grand slam the game prior. But the play was just as exciting.
After leading off the inning with a single, the feisty second baseman scampered to home plate on a David Ortiz double with just one out. Pedroia looked to be out by a mile. However, he found a way to elude the tag of Rays catcher Luke Maile and tap his foot on home plate. Maile did appear to tag Pedroia, but wasn’t able to hold onto the ball.
The play summed up the kind of streak the Red Sox have been on and hopefully is a sign of things to come as this baseball team can’t seem to do anything wrong. Following the game, Pedroia summed up the strange game-winning play:
“They made a great relay. I really didn’t have anywhere to go. Just tried to get around him and touch the plate. It worked out for us.”
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Eduardo Rodriguez delivers: With the Red Sox offense pretty much silent, starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez put together a strong pitching effort. He pitched just 5 1/3 innings, but struck out a career-high 13 strikeouts. Rodriguez was able to hold a 2-1 lead in the process and demonstrated a live fastball.
“He’s staying behind his arm and creating such power, good power through the strike zone,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said after the game.
Magic number: In recording their 11th consecutive victory, the Red Sox magic number is down to just two games. The team can clinch the division as early as Tuesday at Yankke Stadium. If the Toronto Blue Jays lose both Monday night and Tuesday, Boston will have an opportunity to celebrate with a win against the Yankees on Tuesday. And what better way to clinch a division crown.
Bullpen continues to deliver
Call to the bullpen: Although the Red Sox eventually gave up the 2-1 lead in the eighth, Boston did get a great effort from the bullpen. Heath Hembree picked up where Rodriguez left off and struck out five consecutive batters.
After Matt Barnes came in and put the tying run on base, Fernando Abad entered the game and allowed the inherited runner to score. Joe Kelly then came in to work the final 2 2/3 to pick up the win. He added five strikeouts to a team record 23 strikeouts.
Next: September is the Finest of Months
Playoff tiebreaker: The Red Sox currently have a record of 92-64. That puts them just percentage points ahead of the Cleveland Indians (90-65). As of now, the playoff picture would have the Red Sox hosting the Indians in the ALDS. Boston won the season series 4-2 over Cleveland.