Pedroia Powers Sox Into Series

Rookie second baseman hits big blows in win over Tribe

By Chip Bayers, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 22, 2007 3:02 AM CDT

(Newser) – The smallest guy on the field struck the biggest blows last night as the Red Sox turned a tense ALCS Game 7 into a late-inning laugher. With the Sox leading the Indians 3-2, rookie second baseman Dustin Pedroia hit a 2-run HR in the 7th inning, then a bases-loaded double in the 8th, and Boston cruised into the World Series with an 11-2 win, the team's third straight victory after trailing the series 3-1.

“Once it went out I had so much adrenaline going, I don’t even remember running around the bases,” Pedroia told the Boston Herald. “It was the biggest at-bat of my life.” Starter Daisuke Matsuzaka earned the win, while Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon each pitched two scoreless innings in relief. The Series with the Colorado Rockies begins Wednesday in Boston. For Cleveland it's wait 'til next year in the quest for the team's first world title since 1948.

Boston Red Sox's Manny Ramirez jumps on catcher Jason Varitek and pitcher Jonathan Papelbon after the Red Sox's 11-2 win over the Cleveland Indians in Game 7 of the American League Championship baseball... (Associated Press)

Boston Red Sox's David Ortiz, left, is sprayed with champagne by Curt Schilling in the clubhouse after the Red Sox beat the Cleveland Indians, 11-2 in Game 7 of the American League Championship baseball... (Associated Press)

Boston Red Sox pitcher Jonathan Papelbon celebrates Boston's 11-2 win over the Cleveland Indians in Game 7 of the American League Championship baseball series Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007, at Fenway Park in... (Associated Press)

Boston Red Sox's Dustin Pedroia watches his two-run home run off Cleveland Indians pitcher Rafael Betancourt in the seventh inning of Game 7 of the American League Championship baseball series Sunday,... (Associated Press)

Boston Red Sox's Dustin Pedroia, right, jumps into the arms of David Ortiz after Pedroia's two run home off Cleveland Indians pitcher Rafael Betancourt in the seventh inning of Game 7 of the American... (Associated Press)

Cleveland Indians fan Norma Ives watches a live telecast of Game 7 of the American League Championship baseball series between the Indians and the Boston Red Sox at Jacobs Field, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007... (Associated Press)

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima pitches against the Cleveland Indians in the sixth inning in Game 7 of the American League Championship baseball series Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007, at Fenway Park in Boston.... (Associated Press)

Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, left, tags out Cleveland Indians' Kenny Lofton at second base trying for a double in the fifth inning of Game 7 of the American League Championship baseball... (Associated Press)

Cleveland Indians' Ryan Garko watches his fourth inning double off Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka to drive in Travis Hafner in Game 7 of the American League Championship baseball series Sunday,... (Associated Press)

Cleveland Indians fan Jon Brittain watches a live telecast of Game 7 of the American League Championship baseball series between the Indians and the Boston Red Sox at Jacobs Field, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007... (Associated Press)

Boston Red Sox's Manny Ramirez hits a single in front of Cleveland Indians' catcher Victor Martinez to drive in a run for the Red Sox in the first inning in Game 7 of the American League Championship... (Associated Press)

Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka smiles after the Red Sox defeated the Cleveland Indians 11-2 to win Game 7 of the American League Championship baseball series Monday, Oct. 22, 2007, at Fenway... (Associated Press)

Fans celebrate at Fenway PArk in Boston early Monday morning, Oct. 22, 2007, after their Boston Red Sox advanced to the World Series with an 11-2 win over the Cleveland Indians in Game 7 of the American... (Associated Press)

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz holds up the American League Championship trophy after the Red Sox beat the Cleveland Indians 11-2 to win Game 7 of the American League Championship baseball... (Associated Press)

Boston Red Sox pitcher Jonathan Papelbon pours beer on the American League Championship trophy early Monday morning, Oct. 22, 2007, at Fenway Park in Boston. The Red Sox beat the Cleveland Indians, 11-2... (Associated Press)

Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, left, gets a champagne shower from Mike Timlin in the clubhouse afterthe Red Sox beat the Cleveland Indians in Game 7 of the American League Championship baseball... (Associated Press)

Cleveland Indians fans Nick Blum, right, and Anthony Mosinski watch a live telecast of Game 7 of the American League Championship baseball series between the Indians and the Boston Red Sox at Jacobs Field,... (Associated Press)

Cleveland Indians fan Sandy Yenchik watches a live telecast of Game 7 of the American League Championship baseball series between the Indians and the Boston Red Sox at Jacobs Field, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007... (Associated Press)

Boston Red Sox pitcher Jonathan Papelbon calls for catcher Jason Varitek to come celebrate the Red Sox 11-2 win over the Cleveland Indians in Game 7 of the American League Championship baseball series... (Associated Press)

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Pedroia Powers Sox Into Series

Rookie second baseman hits big blows in win over Tribe

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Pedroia Powers Sox Into Series

Rookie second baseman hits big blows in win over Tribe

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Boston Red Sox • Cleveland Indians • World Series • ALCS • AL playoffs • pennant

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Red Sox Cruise Behind Beckett

Smash Cleveland 10-3 to take 1-0 ALCS lead

Tip Your Hats to Tampa

Rays' talent rises to occasion, avoids epic collapse in beating Boston to seal Series trip

Rays KO Sox, Head to Series

Gutsy Red Sox Force Game 7

Comeback kings 'played like it was their last game'

Red Sox Alive After Miracle Rally

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