Dustin Pedroia - Little Big Man

The best decision I made yesterday was to watch the last three innings of a game that, until that point, had failed to peek my interest. My wife and I had been scrambling around the house preparing bedrooms for summer visitors, and I had just been tuning in here and there to check the score. My better half then  joined me on the couch in about the eighth inning, glanced at the score and said "They're gonna lose, you know? Let's go walk the dog." I resisted and simply quipped, "It's not over yet. Let's just wait and see."

I had no reason to believe they would come back. They had lost 5 of the last 6 and were dangerously close to becoming a .500 team on the road. Their listlessness was beginning to transform into a uneasy banality that I feared would initiate a downward spiral. Then, it happened. Bradley and Hill got themselves aboard with a walk and a single respectively in the ninth. However, doubt crept back in which was authored by two uninspiring at bats from Ryan Hanigan and Brock Holt who both went down by way of the "K". This had become a trademark of this struggling offense and had me inching closer to the dog leash. I didn't think I could cope watching another head hanging stroll off the field, Then, I realized Mookie was next up, and he may get something done. So, I indulged him. Down to his last strike, Betts' single to right plating Boston's first run and allowing Dustin his moment in the glorious California sun.

Pedroia has been on quite a run as he extended his on-base streak to 34 consecutive games. He has also has hit safely in his last 11. Pedroia is hitting .321 in the last 14 days with 3 homers and is bested only by Mookie Betts (.393). and Xander Bogaerts (.333) during that span.Speaking of Bogie, he extended his hitting steak to 13 games, going back to back with Dustin in the ninth.

Now the guys mentioned above are headliners - we depend on their efforts to keep this team afloat. The silver lining in this win was Clay living up to the Clint Eastwood "Man with No Name" badass, tossing three scoreless innings. He retired 9 of 10 that he faced

yesterday on 35 pitches and has sat down 17 of his last 18. Maybe a bullpen long man is his milieu, and his role can assist in redefining a reeling bullpen. Also, speaking of nondescript personalities, John Farrell got into the mix saving a possible Pedroia ejection after Dustin was arguing balls and strikes. Farrell proved his worth by eliminating his presence. Ahhhh, sweet irony!

To the Twitter feed:

Down to the last out?

Not an issue for @15Lasershow.https://t.co/frEoI9WjrH

— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) July 31, 2016

#RedSox improve to 17-9 (.654) vs AL West, the best win percentage for any American League club against the division. #MLB

— Red Sox Nation Stats (@RSNStats) July 31, 2016

#RedSox have winning records in all months but June this season, going 14-10 in April, 18-10 in May, 10-16 in June, 15-10 in July.

— Red Sox Nation Stats (@RSNStats) July 31, 2016

#RedSox in July were 15-10, averaged 9.3 runs/game with an impressive team AVG of .291 with 94 XBHs. Starters ERA, however, was 4.28.

— Red Sox Nation Stats (@RSNStats) July 31, 2016

#RedSox now 16-11-7 in series play this season, including 6-5-4 on the road.

— Red Sox Nation Stats (@RSNStats) July 31, 2016

Fittingly, Dustin Pedroia ends game with a terrific tag-and-throw to complete unassisted double play, leave Trout on deck. 4-3, #RedSox.

— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) July 31, 2016

Mookie Betts extends the game with two-out RBI single, making #RedSox 1-for-10 with RISP today, 2-for-20 last two games. 3-1. Up to Pedroia.

— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) July 31, 2016