BOSTONAfter the Red Sox lost the first game of their three-game series against the Yankees in New York, Dustin Pedroia unleashed a verbal tongue lashing, aimed at himself, his teammates, or anyone in the organization who wanted to accept it.
Pedroia backed up those words Monday night against the Tigers, belting a tiebreaking, two-run shot in the sixth, on the way to a 7-3 Sox win.
With the score knotted at 2, Pedroias ninth home run of the season scored Carl Crawford, who had walked ahead of him to open the inning. After Pedroias shot, off Detroit starter Max Scherzer, the Sox added three more runs, including a two-run shot by Will Middlebrooks in the eighth, never letting the Tigers back in the game.
Its awesome, Middlebrooks said of Pedroias home run. It gets him fired up and when he gets fired up we get fired up. Its fun to watch.
Since Pedroias outburst in New York, the Sox have yet to lose.
More than you know, Middlebrooks said of how much the team feeds off its second baseman. its fun to have a guy like that.
The home runin Pedroias 800th career game -- was his first at Fenway since May 10. Although he is hitting just .267 this season, well below his .307 from last season and career mark of .301, he has hit a home run in three of his past five games and has four home runs in 13 games this monthafter not hitting any in his previous 40 games.
Boston Red Sox
I feel good, feel good, he said. Just got to keep going. Its a long year, got a long way to go. So just concentrate on helping the team win ballgames.
I just tried to get a good pitch to hit. He was tough. He was on the corners. Hes got great stuff. And Im just trying to get a pitch I can handle.
On this night, there would be nothing more exuberant than that from Pedroia. No need.