BOSTON -- During Thursday night's 13-2 victory against the Twins in which the Red Sox recorded 17 hits, Dustin Pedroia stood out with a feat of his own. The second baseman notched his fourth career five-hit game, going 5-for-5 for the first time since he did so in 2010.
No Red Sox player had gone 5-for-5 at Fenway Park since Victor Martinez, also in 2010. Pedroia is now tied for the second-most five-hit games in the Major Leagues since 2006.
"This is one of the best organizations of all time. That's an honor," Pedroia said. "How many do I have?"
The second baseman had no idea Thursday was his fourth five-hit game.
"Wow. That's hard to do. It was a pretty good night," Pedroia said.
And it was. Pedroia, Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts and David Ortiz combined to go 14-for-19, featuring two home runs among the four batters. Two of Pedroia's five hits were doubles. He's now reached base in his last 24 games, tying Josh Donaldson for the longest streak in the American League.
Pedroia recorded a hit in every direction of the field against Minnesota. Two of his singles were to right and right-center, while another trickled up the middle. Both of his doubles spiraled into left field.
"You know, the thing you love is when he hits the ball into right field and right-center field," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "He did it a couple times tonight. That's when I think his swing is most pure. He might argue that. He takes pride in being able to turn on some pitches and driving the ball.
"But you know, a lot has been made of the ground-ball double plays, but it's the bat-to-ball ability by Pedey that allows him to be a career .300-plus hitter. He's sat in that two-hole for many years and remains still very productive."
In 1,335 career games, Pedroia has batted second 820 times. In fact, he's appeared at every spot in the lineup except sixth. When asked if looking at how pitchers deal to the batter before him is beneficial, Pedroia said he occasionally knows what to expect.
"They kind of pitch me and Mookie a little similar," said Pedroia. "Obviously our strengths are when the ball is closer to us, we could drive it. But they're always mixing it up. Scouting reports in the Major Leagues are pretty darn good."
The second baseman tied Dom DiMaggio for the fifth-most games with three or more hits by a Red Sox player since 1913 as he recorded his 28th multihit game of the season.
Pedroia knew exactly when his last time five-hit game was, because he suffered a broken bone the following day.
"Yeah in Colorado. I'm aware. The next day I broke my foot, so I'll never forget that," he said.