Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, left, throws to first after forcing out Chicago White Sox’ Juan Uribe during the fifth inning last night.

AP / Nam Y. Huh

CHICAGO — Jacoby Ellsbury sat out Friday night’s game as Coco Crisp got the start in center. But back in the lineup last night, he picked up right where he left off in Kansas City.

Ellsbury had a three-hit night in the Sox’ 6-2 win over Chicago — a single in the second, another in the seventh and a solo homer in the ninth. That makes eight hits and two homers in his last three games.

“It’s nice,” Ellsbury said. “I’m a competitive person. I’m a perfectionist. You put in the work, you want to see the results. I just told myself to relax. That’s the biggest thing. Relax and be on time, be ready to hit. Just contribute to the team. Regardless of whether I’m in the lineup, if I’m contributing wherever, it’s not only going to help the team, it’s going to help get us going.”

His second single of the night started the four-run seventh and sent the Sox offense in motion.

“I was just trying to get on base and get a pitch I could handle,” Ellsbury said. “The guys behind me have been swinging the bats well all season. It was kind of like I was going back to the leadoff spot. Leading off that inning, it was my job to get on base.”

Manager Terry Francona has made it clear that he wants to put the speedy outfielder back at the top of the lineup , but Ellsbury isn’t pushing the matter.

“That’s up to the coaches,” Ellsbury said. “That’s up to Tito, where he’d like to put me. That’s my natural position, but wherever he wants to put me is fine with me.”

Pedroia hits record book

With slightly more than seven weeks still remaining, it’s already been a special season for second baseman Dustin Pedroia.

Last night, Pedroia extended his road hitting streak to 28 games with a single in the third and another in the four-run seventh. With a hit this afternoon, Pedroia can tie Hall-of-Famer Tris Speaker, who holds the franchise record with a 29-game streak in 1913.

The hit last night meant that Pedroia now has the second-longest road hitting streak for a second baseman since 1956. He eclipsed Luis Castillo (27 games in 2002) last night and now trails only Cleveland’s Johnny Temple (33 games in 1961).

Meanwhile, Pedroia’s 10th homer of the season Friday night made him just the sixth Red Sox second baseman in the last 57 years to reach double figures in homers in a season.

The others: Felix Mantilla (twice), Mike Andrews (twice), Mark Bellhorn, Ted Lepcio and Todd Walker.

Changing places

For the first time since 2003, when Grady Little managed the Red Sox, Jason Varitek hit ninth in the Red Sox lineup last night.

“Since we had Ellsbury ninth and [J.D.] Drew first,” explained Francona, “rather than have our fastest get stuck behind our catcher, we’ll do this.”

The change also broke up the consecutive lefties in the batting order (Ellsbury and Drew) when the lineup turned over and makes it tougher for opposing teams to bring in a lefty reliever.

Varitek, though he entered last night’s game hitting only .221, has shown signs of life lately, hitting .316 (6-for-19 with six walks) over his last 16 games.

Costly play

White Sox starter Jose Contreras’ season came to an end in the second inning when the veteran right-hander suffered a torn left Achilles tendon while covering first base.

Ellsbury hit a roller to first and Contreras raced over to take the throw from first baseman Nick Swisher. But steps before he reached the bag, Contreras limped, then collapsed as he crossed the bag. Ellsbury beat the throw and was safe.

Contreras writhed on the ground in pain and had to be helped to his feet. At one point, perhaps sensing the seriousness of the injury immediately, he slammed his fist on the grass in frustration.

He left the game and was replaced by D.J. Carrasco. Two innings later, the White Sox made the announcement on the pitcher’s diagnosis.

Contreras, who is listed at 36, is under contract for $10 million in 2009. Typically, a torn Achilles tendon requires at least a year for recovery.

Paying tribute

The Sox announced plans to honor some former managers on the next homestand.

Joe Morgan, who led the team to two division titles, will be honored Wednesday in recognition of the 20th anniversary of “Morgan Magic.” Morgan replaced John McNamara at the All-Star break in 1988 and the Sox won their first 12 and 19 of their first 20 under Morgan.

Dick Williams, who managed the “Impossible Dream” 1967 Sox to the A.L. pennant and was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame, will be recognized Saturday.

Around the bases

Jed Lowrie extended his hitting streak to eight straight games with a two-out double in the second inning. Meanwhile, Jason Bay’s streak of hitting safely in every game in a Red Sox uniform came to an end. After hitting in each of his first seven games, he was 0-for-4 last night. … Friday’s defeat marked the first time that the Sox had lost in a game in which Jon Lester had pitched at least seven innings. Until them, the Sox had been 13-0 in Lester’s career and 10-0 this season.

smcadam@projo.com