KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dustin Pedroia had been in the Red Sox’ starting lineup every night for almost two months, but Terry Francona decided the series finale against the Kansas City Royals was a good time to change that.

Pedroia was given the night off for the first time since July 7, with Alex Cora starting at second base.

“It’s not easy to do,” said Francona. “But with the day off (today), it will be really good for him (to have two days off in a row). He hasn’t had (time off) for a long time. I kind of had to fight myself, but I think it’s the right thing to do.”

Pedroia has a seven-game hitting streak overall, and has at least one hit in each of his last 26 games. Pedroia has hit safely in 34 of his last 37 games. Over his last 44 games, Pedroia is hitting .396 with 39 runs scored in that span.

The next problem that faced Francona was finding someone to hit second. After much deliberation, he settled on rookie shortstop Jed Lowrie.

Francona thought about hitting Jacoby Ellsbury second, but didn’t want to present three straight lefties at the top of the lineup — leadoff man J.D. Drew, Ellsbury and DH David Ortiz.

“That’s awfully inviting (for opposing managers),” Francona said. Hitting Lowrie second “isn’t perfect. But it was the best we could come up with.”

Toughing it out

Mike Lowell, who returned to the lineup Tuesday night after a shot to help him with inflammation in his right hip, was at third base again last night, telling Francona that he was feeling OK.

“I think it bothers him more in the morning,” Francona said, “than it does during the game.”

smcadam@projo.com