August 31, 2008 Pedroia leads Red Sox in 8-2 win over Chicago

BOSTON (AP) - Dustin Pedroia went 4-for-4 for the second straight game and got plenty of help from a makeshift lineup as the Boston Red Sox pounded Chicago's pitching again in an 8-2 victory over the White Sox on Saturday night.

The spunky second baseman took over the AL lead with a .327 batting average. And he did it from the cleanup spot, the first time last year's rookie of the year batted there in the majors.

Kevin Youkilis, who usually hits fourth, was sick and missed the game. So the 5-foot-7 Pedroia moved into that slot held by slugger Manny Ramirez before he was traded on July 31.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)