NEW YORK -- The Red Sox were playing awful baseball on the road prior to their four-game series against the Yankees this past weekend in the Bronx.

Boston began its three-city road trip by going 1-2 in Houston before being swept in the three-game set at Tampa Bay. During that recent skid the offense went lifeless and the bullpen imploded almost on a nightly basis. Through it all, one player became hot and hasn't shown any signs of letting up.

The Sox' Dustin Pedroia has been outstanding at the plate and in the field. So when Boston came here desperately needing to turn things around as a club, he stepped his play up a notch.

His two-run single in the top of the fifth inning Sunday night snapped a 1-1 tie to give Boston a 3-1 lead. The hit extended Pedroia's hitting streak to 14 games, matching his career-high, which he has accomplished three times.

Not only did he do it with the bat Sunday night, Pedroia made a huge play in the bottom of the seventh inning.

New York had tied the game at 4-4 and had the would-be go-ahead run on third base with one out. The Yankees' Melky Cabrera smoked a ball to the right side of the infield, but the Sox' second baseman was able to snare it, make it to his feet and make a perfect throw home to catcher Kevin Cash to record the out.

"At the time it seemed like a game-saving play," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "It's the type play where he got rid of it, got something on the ball, and Cash made a good tag. That's the type of play you need to make in order to win a game like this or allow yourself a chance to win a game like this."

With two outs, Red Sox reliever Manny Delcarmen struck out Jose Molina to end the inning and keep the game knotted at 4-4.

The Yankees eventually won in the 10th inning when rookie Brett Gardner provided the walk-off RBI-single off Jonathan Papelbon.

Sunday afternoon Pedroia was named to the A.L. All-Star team.

Pedroia was at the team hotel when Red Sox traveling secretary Jack McCormick called him with the information of his selection.

"My wife was watching the selection show, so she got all happy," Pedroia said. "It's fun and exciting. I'm excited. It's definitely an honor to be an All-Star, especially getting voted in by the fans. I can't wait. It's going to be special for me and my family."

Only in his second full major-league season, Pedroia has won a World Series, the Rookie of the Year Award and now he's an All-Star.

The World Series victory still ranks the best.

"The World Series is so special," he said. "That's the biggest thing for me. Everyday we try to win games and that's the ultimate goal. The Rookie of the Year was great, but the World Series was the ultimate. Not a lot of people get to play in the World Series and we went there and won it."

Plus, he's thrilled he gets to share the All-Star game with six of his teammates at Yankee Stadium.

"It's awesome," he said. "We won the World Series and we're well represented and everyone deserves it. This will be something, especially the last time at Yankee Stadium. It's going to be Awesome and fun. I can't wait for it."