An errant throw and a lucky carom led to a heads-up play by Dustin Pedroia to retire Carlos Gomez

This browser does not support the video element.

Entering the bottom of the ninth inning in Monday's Red Sox-Rangers game at Globe Life Park in Arlington, the game was tied at 5. Both teams sought different things: the Rangers, to win with a walk-off moment. The Red Sox, to preserve the tie and force extra innings. Though Boston would win, 7-5, that didn't happen until the 12th inning -- so things were very much up in the air in the ninth. 
With one out, Carlos Gómez chopped a grounder to third with a check swing and hustled out of the box. The throw from Deven Marrero went wide, allowing Gomez to reach the base safely. But then, a fortuitous carom off the wall bounced the ball back toward second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who somehow did this despite not really being in a strong position to make a play:

That's the perfect combination of right-place-at-the-right-time and some heads-up defensive work from Pedroia, known for his whatever-it-takes moments on the diamond. 
After the game, pitcher Rick Porcello spoke of the benefit of playing on the same team as Pedroia. "I've seen him make so many spectacular plays now since I've been playing with him," he told MLB.com's Dave Sessions. "He makes that the norm. He's so talented. You almost come to expect it from him. He was phenomenal tonight. He was a game changer. He changed the game offensively and defensively."

More from MLB.com