"After the 16-inning marathon that started Sunday night and didn't end until the wee hours yesterday in St. Petersburg, Fla., the Red Sox could've mainlined caffeine all day and still lacked the vigor to play well against even the sad-sack Orioles here last night.

But at least they had the Human Energy Drink.

If Dustin Pedroia felt like he was dragging on a typically steamy summer night at Camden Yards, he concealed it by notching two more hits, including a tiebreaking two-run double in the decisive, eight-run eighth inning of a 15-10 victory.

And although it is hardly a revelation anymore that Pedroia's motor never stops running, it also never ceases to impress, especially considering the Red Sox didn't check in to their hotel until almost 6 a.m. yesterday.

"That's Pedey," said outfielder Darnell McDonald, who drew a pinch-hit walk and scored the go-ahead run. "That's our engine, our little motor. That's what keeps us going."

Lately, Pedroia has been the hottest hitter in the majors' most powerful offense. Since getting his balky right knee scoped June 9, he has played in 32 consecutive games and batted .379 (50-for-132) with 32 runs scored, nine home runs and 28 RBI to raise his season average from .247 to .295.

Last night, without suspended slugger David Ortiz in the lineup, Pedroia led a 16-hit barrage that brought the Red Sox back after well-rested starter Tim Wakefield turned a 6-2 lead (built in part on homers by Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Josh Reddick) into a 7-6 deficit in the fifth inning.

With the bases loaded and the game tied 7-7, Pedroia saw five pitches from sidearming Orioles reliever Mark Worrell. On the sixth, a low-and-away sinker, he went the other way, serving the ball into right field to score McDonald and Marco Scutaro for a 9-7 lead.

"I'm just trying to see the ball," Pedroia said. "It's so tough. (Worrell) kind of hides the ball, and then it gets on you. In that situation, I was trying so hard to get the ball in the air because it's sinking so much. I was lucky enough to do that."

Added McDonald: "It's like you expect that from him. He has the tendency to really bear down in big situations and make things happen.""