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PREGAME: Pedroia, over his nerves, is 'fine,' says Francona

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Rookie second baseman Dustin Pedroia recently said he thought he was pressing during the ALDS against the Angels. Looking at his 2-for-13 performance, some would agree with him.

Not manager Terry Francona.

When Pedroia provided an RBI double in Game Three of the ALDS, he was quite relieved, thinking he wasn't playing up to par. Francona completely disagreed.

''Maybe I should have been smart enough to realize that’s he’s a young kid and he’s nervous,” said the manager. “He’s been out there every day and he seems like a veteran to me. I should have been a little more intuitive and said something to him, but I didn’t think about it. We count on him so much, and yes, I think he was pressing a little bit.”

How about this series?

''He’s fine,'' said Francona. ''Whether or not you’re getting hits doesn’t mean your pressing or not comfortable, sometimes you’re facing pretty good pitchers.''

If there was any question Pedroia, who is a strong candidate for Rookie of the Year, was focused at the plate, his scorching line drive in his first at-bat against C.C. Sabathia on Friday proved that point.

As the Red Sox advance through the postseason, expect the second baseman to be a critical part of the offense.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 5:34 PM | Permalink