Panda makes sprawling catch on tarp

CHICAGO -- Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval made a nifty play on Monday night in Boston's 5-4 victory over the White Sox, landing belly-first on the tarp and reaching to snag a foul ball off the bat of Adam LaRoche.

As Sandoval ran back into play with the ball still in his hand, he had a broad smile on his face. Sandoval made the snag in the bottom of the second inning with the Red Sox leading, 3-1.

After showing some inconsistency on defense during much of his first season in Boston, Sandoval has shown signs of settling in of late.

"Well, he's working very hard behind the scenes," said Red Sox interim manager Torey Lovullo. "I think there's just been a general steadiness and an improvement. I think we've all been watching him make some really good lateral movements and some good plays. It's happening right now before our very eyes, and that's what we're encouraged by."