Pedroia Leads Bo-Sox to First Win

Rob Carr/Getty Images(TORONTO) - Dustin Pedroia hit his first home run of the season in the sixth, and scored in the top of the ninth, igniting the Red Sox (1-3) to their first win of the season beating the Toronto Blue Jays (2-2) 4-2. 

After blowing two of their first three games when they either had the lead or were tied going into the bottom of the ninth, the Red Sox got a one, two, three ninth out of pitcher Alfredo Aceves, who picked up the save.

"I told him I trusted him," Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said talking about Aceves. "He knew he was going to have the ball." 

The Sox will look to make it two in a row Tuesday, when pitcher Daniel Bard squares off against the Jays' Kyle Drabek.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Tigers Walk-Off in 11, Sweep Red Sox, 13-12

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images(DETROIT) -- It was a slugfest on Sunday, but the Tigers (3-0) found a way to complete the three-game sweep of the Red Sox (0-3) in eleven innings, thanks to Alex Avila.

Avila who caught all eleven innings, hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the eleventh to send the Tigers' faithful home happy.

"I'm too tired right now," Avila said. "I'm glad we have an off day (Monday). This weekend has been crazy. You don't see those kinds of games at this level very often, there's really no rhyme or reason or explanation for it."

This was the second time this series that Detroit won on its final at-bat.  They trailed 10-7 on Sunday before Miguel Cabrera tied the game with a three-run shot off Alfredo Aceves in the ninth.  Boston took the lead again in the eleventh but Mark Melancon (0-2) could not put away the Tigers.

"This is a work in progress," Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said. "We're three days in after losing our closer, and we're still trying to figure it out."

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Aceves to Start Season as Sox Closer

Rob Carr/Getty Images(DETROIT) -- Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine announced Wednesday, Alfredo Aceves will begin the season as the teams closer. The 29-year-old right-hander has four saves during his four major league seasons.

"He loves competition," Valentine said. "He's one of the best competitors I've seen. I could be wrong. I haven't seen him up close and personal in battle. But he's a very good competitor, to say nothing of being a very good pitcher."

Aceves has been thrust into the role because original closer Andrew Bailey will have surgery on his right thumb. Bailey isn't expected back until after the All-Star break.

If Aceves struggles, the Red Sox have pitchers with some closing experience. Mark Melancon saved 20 games for the Astros last season, left-hander Franklin Morales had seven saves in 2009 for the Rockies and Vincente Padilla was three for three in save opportunities with the Dodgers last season.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio