Dustin Pedroia’s power stroke returns as Red Sox win
May 2, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) watches his grand slam land in the Green monster seats during the sixth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
19 games into the season and Dustin Pedroia broke out of his home run drought in a major way. In the bottom of the sixth inning, not only did Pedroia hit his first home run of the season, but his 100th of his career, and did it in grand fashion. With the bases full with A.J. Pierzynski, Xander Bogaerts, and Jackie Bradley Jr., Pedroia put an 0-2 hanging breaking ball into the Monster Seats.
Pedroia scored again later in the eighth inning on a Mike Napoli single to center, lifting the Boston Red Sox score total of 7 after a pair of runs in the second inning. In total, Pedroia went 2-3 and walked twice while the Red Sox tallied 11 hits to the Oakland Athletics five. Clay Buchholz went 6.1 strong innings, allowing just three hits and three walks, giving up a single run and striking out five.
Andrew Miller struck out the only two batters he faced, while Edward Mujica gave up a pair of hits in the eighth and Craig Breslow closed out the game with by catching Nick Punto looking to end the game.
The Red Soz will look to take the second game of the series on Saturday when Tommy Milone faces off against Jon Lester.