Dustin Pedroia Injured in Red Sox Win over Tigers

By KC Downey in Featured, Red Sox ⋅ May 28, 2012 at 10:10pm ⋅ Post a comment

Dustin Pedroia left Monday’s game against the Tigers with a jammed right thumb.

He injured the thumb while diving for a groundball by Danny Worth at the end of the fifth inning. He was replaced by Nick Punto.

“He’ll probably have some tests,” Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said after the game. “Right now I don’t think he could play tomorrow, if I was a betting man. But don’t bet on it.”

If Pedroia can’t play Tuesday, Punto would be the logical replacement at second base. Too bad he’s only hitting .132 (5 for 38) and has only one (!) hit since April 10.

Game Recap

As for the game, the Red Sox won 7-4, thanks in large part to an umpire error in the second inning. Mike Aviles was at the plate with two outs, and after swinging at a third strike, he clearly fouled it into the catcher’s mitt. But, after complaining that it hit the ground, the umpires discussed it and agreed with Aviles.

With second life, Aviles hit an RBI single, leading to a three-run inning. They didn’t relinquish the lead for the rest of the game.

Felix Doubront picked up his fifth win, going 6.0 innings and allowing just two runs on four hits (two solo HRs) with six strikeouts.

Of concern for the Red Sox was closer Alfredo Aceves, who allowed a two-run home run in the ninth inning for the second straight game. He blew the save on Sunday, but he held a five-run lead Monday and managed to finish the game after yielding the HR.

The Red Sox are back at .500 again, and will look to go above it for the first time this season on Tuesday.