Pedroia ejected in finale for arguing balls, strikes

BOSTON -- Second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who grounded out to shortstop in the bottom of the third, was ejected from Sunday afternoon's 4-0 win against the Rays prior to the fourth inning for arguing balls and strikes.

"He had a pitcher's strike zone," manager John Farrell said of home-plate umpire D.J. Reyburn. "Dustin took exception to that second strike in that particular at-bat. Probably said one too many things when he came out for defense the following inning."

Reyburn tossed Pedroia from a distance between frames as Pedroia headed toward second from the dugout. As a result, Jonathan Herrera moved to second base from third and Garin Cecchini made his Major League debut at the hot corner.

Cecchini struck out during his first big league at-bat on a pitch that looked to be a little off the outside part of the plate. He jumped up slightly when Reyburn punched him out.

"That's that umpire's strike zone and we have to make the adjustment," Cecchini said.

Pedroia was back in the lineup Sunday after sitting out Saturday with a bruised right hand. He landed awkwardly fielding a throw from catcher A.J. Pierzynski in the second inning of Friday night's 3-2 win. An MRI Saturday revealed no fracture or structural damage in his hand.