"If the Red Sox could arrange for all 27 outs to be hit to Dustin Pedroia, they'd take that every day of the week.

The second baseman is valuable because he's so multi-dimensional, as the Gold Glove he won alongside his MVP and Silver Slugger in 2008 attests.

Yesterday, however, he was involved in a trio of fifth-inning defensive plays that ended up playing a pivotal role in the White Sox escaping Fenway Park with a 7-4 victory and series sweep.

The plays fell into three categories: a great effort that fell just a little short, a double play he'd probably like to have back, and a tag the umpire likely got wrong.

It all started with no outs, the Sox leading 3-1, and Ramon Castro on first via a walk. Gordon Beckham lofted a fly ball into no-man's land down the right field line, and Pedroia gave chase.

It quickly became clear that first baseman Adrian Gonzalez had no play with his back to the plate. Charging right fielder Josh Reddick slowed as Pedroia barreled towards the ball.

Pedroia split his teammates and attempted a tumbling catch, but the ball ticked off his glove for a single.

"You've got all three guys coming at one point," said infield coach Tim Bogar. "You've run a long way. It's a sunny sky, plus the wind was involved, too. It's a difficult play. I thought he did a good job to get there and stay in there and even get a glove on it."

Manager Terry Francona agreed."