EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA

Rookie Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who once appeared to be destined for a return visit to the Red Sox Triple-A affiliate in Pawtucket, quelled those thoughts with a red-hot May and June.

Sox left-hander Kason Gabbard, also a rookie, who had a few early shaky starts while filling in for Curt Schilling, is similarly quelling thoughts of shipping him back to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Last night, the rookies, with some help from David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, who combined for two homers and three RBI, were too much for the Kansas City Royals in a 4-0 win last night.

Gabbard was sensational, pitching a complete game and allowing only three hits while striking out seven and walking only one batter. He had a no-hitter with one out in the fifth inning before allowing a single to right.

"I felt good in the bullpen (before the game)," said Gabbard, now 3-0. "I had my changeup and curveball working. Other than the pitch to (Reggie) Sanders, I felt good."

It could be argued that Pedroia was his equal. Batting second, Pedroia opened the scoring with a bomb to left field. He also made two nifty, potential run-saving plays in the field.

In the fourth inning, Pedroia started a double play by running back the base-runner before throwing to first, with Kevin Youkilis throwing quickly to second to get the runner on a tag.

In the sixth, with the bases loaded and two outs, a slow chopper barely went over Gabbard's glove before Pedroia rushed in and quickly released the ball to first to nip the runner for a double play.

As for Ortiz and Ramirez, both appear to be picking up the pace.

Ramirez (13th) hit a home run in the fourth inning, just one out after Pedroia's moon shot, hitting the light extension in left-center.

Ortiz (16th) lined a two-run homer, with Pedroia on first, about 10 feet inside the Pesky Pole.

Gabbard and Pedroia, though, were the first stars last night.

It was Gabbard's first complete game of ... get this ... his college and professional career.

As for his historic performance, Gabbard remembered his longest outing prior to last night.

"The only complete games I've thrown were in high school," he said. "In college, no ... I think my furthest was eight innings (at Indian River Community College in Fla.). It was great to do it here."

Sox manager Terry Francona said there was no thought of putting someone else in the ninth inning.

"His pitch count was down," said Francona. "And honestly, he didn't look like he needed any help,"

Gabbard had his own audience among the 37,099 in attendance last night. His mother, Christine, was in attendance, as well as his girlfriend and a few of her family members.

The last Sox rookie to throw a complete-game shutout was Paul Quantrill on July 4, 1993. The last Sox rookie left-hander to do the same thing was Roger Moret in 1971.

As for Pedroia, Francona said his play with the two-out, bases-loaded grounder, throwing out Pena, was the "game-changer."

Lugo credited with hit, but ....

Julio Lugo was credited with a hit last night in the third inning, with an emphasis on "credited." He was ruled safe on a grounder in the hole at shortstop, where Tony Pena Jr. made a great play on. Replays, though, showed he was barely out. Justice prevailed soon after starter Brian Bannister picked off Lugo, who was leaning toward second base.

Quote of the day

"This is Dustin Pedroia's world and we're just living in it," said Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon as the media swarmed around the Sox second baseman immediately after the game.

By the numbers

2 - Homers by David Ortiz in last three games.

2:18 - Time it took to play the game last night.

6 - Games Julio Lugo has hit safely.

7 - Shutouts thrown by Red Sox pitchers this season.

46 - Times Ortiz and Manny Ramirez have hit homers in the same game.

107 - Pitches thrown by Kason Gabbard.

354 - Consecutive sellouts at Fenway Park.