Dustin Pedroia the Hero After 16 Innings, But Don’t Over Look Alfredo Aceves

It’s was only fitting that Dustin Pedroia was anointed as last nights hero in the Sox 16 inning marathon 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.  All Pedroia did was make a couple of spectacular plays and had three hits, the last hit the game winner.   Along the way, Pedroia picked up a new nickname, the rest of the team dubbed him the “Muddy Chicken.”  While Pedroia was getting all the back slapping, let’s not forget the invaluable role that Alfredo Aceves played.

Once again the Sox could hand the ball over to Alfredo Aceves in the 13th inning, knowing that he could have stayed out there for a very long time.  Each and every outing, Aceves is proving to be an invaluable cog in the bullpen mix.  The Sox know they have Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon to close out a game, but what Aceves gives them is someone to hand the ball over to when they need a pitcher to eat up innings.  That is what Aceves does, eats innings, and lots of them.  Aceves is the bullpen leader in innings pitched with 63.1, far out distancing Daniel Bard‘s 46.1.  On June 4th, when the Sox went 14 innings to beat the Oakland Athletics, it was Aceves who pitched the last 4 innings picking up the win in that game.

With the relief pitchers getting more and more specialized these days, it sure is a piece of mind knowing the Sox have a player who can step in any situation you put him in and go above and beyond. .  Albeit, one inning, closer, long relief or spot start, Alfredo Aceves is always prepared to get the job done.

The “Muddy Chicken” deserves all the accolades, he is the leader of this team.  Just don’t forget that it was Aceves who put Pedroia in the position to win.

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