"Each of Dustin Pedroia's first three at-bats in yesterday's 4-2 Red Sox victory began the same way: With high-and-tight fastballs from Pirates starter James McDonald.

On the third occasion, the Sox second baseman shouted out at the mound.

"It's baseball," Pedroia said. "When you rake, that happens sometimes. It isn't a surprise. Next question."

And when it happens, teams tend to retaliate. Sure enough, in the sixth inning, Sox starter Andrew Miller came close to hitting the foot of Pirates catcher Eric Fryer, prompting home plate umpire Greg Gibson to issue warnings to both dugouts.

Pedroia went 4-for-13 with two walks in the series.

McDonald is the first cousin of Red Sox outfielder Darnell McDonald, and they faced each other for the first time in their careers. Darnell, who replaced injured right fielder J.D. Drew in the second inning, finished 0-for-4, dropping his average to .109."