But all around Pedroia were reminders of a team that is making it work day after day with a patchwork crew of fill-ins, call-ups and old-school regulars hell bent on backing them up.
Pedroia’s single into right off Los Angeles Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton scored Daniel Nava, the former independent league player who burst onto the scene one week ago. Nava reached when his bunt attempt caused a force at second base of Bill Hall, who had already committed two errors in his third start of the year in right field, a necessary move when starting right fielder J.D. Drew hurt his right hamstring the night before.
Warming up in the bullpen and preparing to start the 10th inning if it ever got that far was Robert Manuel, a 26-year-old reliever with three games of major league experience to his name, all with Cincinnati.
After a mob pounded away on Pedroia in shallow right field to celebrate the walk-off, he reflected on another expression of solidarity.
"That’s what makes a winning team," Pedroia said when asked about the Sox staying hot amid a constant stream of injuries and roster moves.
That’s not to say the big guns didn’t have anything to do with it. In addition to Pedroia’s hit was a two-run homer by Victor Martinez and a solo shot by Kevin Youkilis. But the blend of old standbys and others not even on the radar when the season started has proven a potent mix — Boston is a major league-best 38-19 since April 20 and has shaved 7 1/2 games off its AL East deficit since late May.
Take Hall for example. He was rushed into right in a late afternoon game at Fenway, which can crush players with its solar glare, not to mention the nooks and crannies down the line which make it one of the more difficult outfield positions in baseball.
The versatile Hall, who has started at six different positions this year, had his issues. He allowed a single to get through his legs in the second inning and then later turned a double into three bases when a ball trickled past him along the wall beyond Pesky Pole. That runner came in moments later on a sacrifice fly, tacking an unearned run onto Tim Wakefield’s line.
No worries. Someone would step up in Hall’s place. That’s just the way it’s been going.
"Rather than worry about what we can’t do or what we don’t have, we see what we can do," manager Terry Francona said. "Guys have been terrific about picking each other up and whoever is playing has done a good job."
Those playing Saturday included the umpteenth outfield rotation for Francona, matching Nava in left with Hall and Darnell McDonald in center.
Lo and behold, Nava drives in the Sox’ first run with a double in the second, makes a nice running catch in the middle innings and scores the winner.
Taking part in the raucous celebration that ensued means so much more to Nava here than it did at all those other stops along the way, for the Sox have come together in a way that almost defies logic.
"I love how everyone is pulling for everyone," Nava said. "In the minors you’re trying to win, but obviously you’re trying to make it to the next level so to be a part of this whole environment, this team. I’m blessed. I’m enjoying it."
Francona will have more decisions to make Sunday. Maybe Mike Cameron will be available. Maybe someone else won’t be. But at some point he’ll fill out a lineup card, and whoever spots their name will know two things — it’s time to go to work and if I screw up, someone’s got my back.
"Whoever we send out there has done a good job," Francona said. "Again, they keep picking each other up. That’s a good way to go at it."
