Pedroia finishing 2015 with a flourish
BALTIMORE -- Dustin Pedroia will never get back the time he missed earlier this season, but he doesn't necessarily need to. What's most important to the Red Sox is that their second baseman -- the one who is signed through 2021 -- looks perfectly capable of still performing like an All-Star.
While belting two homers and driving in five runs in a 10-1 win over the Orioles on Wednesday night, Pedroia is giving purpose to his late-season comeback.
After missing 58 of a possible 64 games between June 25 and Sept. 7 due to an ailing right hamstring, Pedroia has come out swinging in his return, hitting .379 (11-for-29) with three doubles and three homers.
Video: BOS@BAL: Pedroia belts two homers, drives in five
"I feel good," Pedroia said. "I just feel strong, I feel healthy. It's just a matter of getting back to the rhythm of the game and stuff like that."
While some might point out that Pedroia has had a series of injuries that led to a decline in production between 2012-14, it's important to remember that his hands have stayed healthy this season, and that's where his power comes from.
Even with the 58 games he missed, Pedroia's 12 home runs represent his highest total since 2010.
Video: BOS@BAL: Pedroia belts two-run shot to left-center
"I'm just feeling normal," said Pedroia. "That's how I felt before I got hurt. That's the frustrating part, sometimes you get hurt and miss some time. The biggest thing for me is just being out there, feeling good and being able to help us win."
Aside from David Ortiz, there aren't any hitters left with the Red Sox that Pedroia won the World Series with in 2007 and '13. But the second baseman could be part of Boston's next title contender featuring a core of young players like Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Blake Swihart.
"Let's remember what he did in 2013. He played with a torn ligament," said interim manager Torey Lovullo. "Last year he had an assortment of injuries he was working through. And his comments to me after taking him out of the game today was that, 'I feel good, I feel strong, and this is what I can do when I feel that way.'"