BOSTON — Dustin Pedroia came to the plate in the eighth inning knowing he had some sort of special streak going Saturday night.
He just wasn’t sure how historic it was.
Pedroia had four hits to extend his streak to 11 straight at-bats with a hit before bouncing into a double play with a chance to tie the major-league record, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals, 8-3.
“I heard something,” said Pedroia. “I didn’t know what it was. I was going to the bathroom and heard them say it on TV.”
Pedroia’s streak, which stretched over three games, ended in the eighth inning. The big league mark of hits in 12 straight official at-bats is shared by Walt Dropo for Detroit in 1952, Pinky Higgins of the Red Sox in 1938 and Johnny Kling of the Cubs in 1902.
“Whenever your name is up there with guys in black and white photos, it’s pretty special,” winning pitcher David Price said. “He’s a gamer. He’s a very special teammate. Everybody on this team cherishes what he brings each and every day.”
Xander Bogaerts homered and drove in three runs, and Mookie Betts and Hanley Ramirez hit consecutive homers for Boston, which snapped a three-game losing streak with its 11th win in 16 games.
Price (13-8) won his fourth straight start, giving up two runs in six innings to lower his ERA to 3.97, the lowest it’s been since after his first start.
Danny Duffy (11-2) gave up three homers and seven runs in five innings, halting a personal 10-game winning streak.
Salvador Perez hit two solo homers for the Royals, who lost for just the fourth time 20 games.
Even Royals Manager Ned Yost could appreciate the run Pedroia was on.
“He’s been hotter than a firecracker, for sure,” he said. “I mean 4 for 4 last night, 4 for 5 tonight. He had a real hot streak and what’s amazing is he keeps his bat in the zone for so long he can handle so many pitches. Just a really good hitter. I’ve always thought that about him.”
Duffy had allowed two or fewer runs in five straight starts – and 6 of 7 – before Boston took care of that string with two each in the first and second innings.
Two batters in, the Red Sox jumped ahead 2-0 on Bogaerts’ 16th homer, a drive that completely left Fenway Park over the Green Monster after Pedroia singled.
In the bottom of the second after the Royals tied it, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Pedroia had consecutive RBI doubles, pushing Boston in front 4-2.
Pedroia collected his 10th consecutive hit with a run-scoring single to make it 5-2 in the fourth. His 11th was a ground single to center in the sixth.
Betts hit his 29th, a solo shot, in the fifth and Ramirez followed with his two pitches later to nearly the same spot, two rows into the Monster seats about three fans apart.
After watching Ramirez’s drive land in the seats, Duffy just smiled in disbelief.
NOTES: David Ortiz played his 2,000 game as a DH (1,721 for Boston, 279 Minnesota), most ever. Harold Baines (1980-2001) is next with 1,643. … Red Sox Manager John Farrell said right-hander Koji Uehara (strained chest muscle) threw 53 pitches with “good intensity” in a bullpen session Friday and is due to throw again Monday.
Copy the Story LinkSend questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.