Entering play in Tuesday’s series opener against the Orioles at Fenway Park, Pedroia was 3-for-26 in September. Pedroia put an end to that in the bottom of the first inning when he launched a David Hernandez offering over the Green Monster for a two-run home run and a quick Red Sox lead.
Things improved from there as the Red Sox second baseman launched his second home run of the game — and his 12th of the season — off Hernandez in the third inning, knocking a 2-2 change-up over the Monster again and ending Hernandez's night. Chris Woodward took over for Pedroia in the eighth inning with the Sox leading 10-0 and the game well in hand.
Pedroia's offensive output was a solid sign for the Red Sox that their slumping hitters may be coming around as the season heads into the stretch run. With just 24 games left to play, the team will look to its historically solid performers to lock up a playoff berth.
Now that David Ortiz (2-for-3 with a home run on Tuesday) and Pedroia have broken out of their slumps, the Red Sox look to sweep the short two-game series against the Orioles before welcoming the reeling Rays into town. Feasting on sub-par Orioles pitching may be just what the top of the order needed to set things straight for the stretch run.
