Pedroia helps save Sox with dandy glove work

SEATTLE -- Dustin Pedroia is always in position to make a play, even when it looks like it's going to be somebody else's play.

In the bottom of the fourth inning on Thursday night at Safeco Field, the scrappy second baseman helped save a game the Red Sox eventually won, 2-1, over the Mariners.

The bases were loaded with two outs when Dustin Ackley hit a sharp grounder to first. Mike Napoli tried to stop it, but it deflected right off his glove. Pedroia had come over as backup, and was in perfect position to field the deflection. He picked it up, and fired to pitcher Joe Kelly at first, and Boston was out of the inning with no runs on the board.

"Just going to back up," Pedroia said. "All the guys take pride in being in the right spot. I do it a million times. One time you're going to get it. It was a big spot in the game so it worked out for us."

Pedroia's penchant for being in the right place at the right time was perfectly demonstrated on that play.

"Pedey made one of the best plays I've ever seen on that tip," Kelly said. "Every time someone hits to the right side, it's the pitcher's job to get over, and after it went off Nap's glove, I was like, 'Oh, my God, Pedroia is right there.' It surprised me. I barely got my heel on the bag to get that play."

Earlier in the fourth, Pedroia also was in position to field a hard grounder from Robinson Cano that ticked off Kelly's glove.