Kevin Youkilis is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after his home run in the sixth inning. The Sox first baseman is on a tear, with a 21-game hitting streak.

The Providence Journal / Mary Murphy

BOSTON — Kevin Youkilis is not one to get excited about hitting streaks, hot stretches or any records at all. At least that’s what he’s saying publicly.

The red-hot Youkilis kept rolling in last night’s 4-2 win over the Indians as he stroked an RBI double in the first inning and belted his eighth home run of the season in the sixth. He extended his career-best hitting streak to 21 games, a stretch that’s seen him hit .441 (41-for-93) with 6 homers, 13 doubles and 21 RBI. Youkilis has two or more hits in his last nine games, the longest streak of consecutive multi-hit games by a Red Sox since Jim Rice had nine in a row in May 1978.

“I’m just taking it day-by-day, pitch-by-pitch,” he said. “I don’t worry about the past, I don’t worry about what’s going on. I just go up there each day and try to have a plan of attack against the pitcher. That’s what I do.”

Youkilis hit third for the Red Sox last night as David Ortiz sat out with sore hamstrings. Youkilis says it doesn’t matter where in the order he hits (“I think that’s all mental. I could never understand that.”) as long as he’s healthy and prepared.

“For me it’s all the same,” he said. “Sometimes I feel horrible at the plate and get a hit. Other times I feel great and don’t get a hit. It’s going to happen like that, but right now it’s just going up there with a good approach.”

Ortiz takes time to heal

Ortiz was out of the lineup for the third straight game because of sore hamstrings. He says he can run fine but it’s uncomfortable when he’s in his hitting crouch.

Manager Terry Francona said he’s trying to be smart with Ortiz. He does not wants to rush him back and risk serious injury.

“He’s improving but not to the point where I felt comfortable playing him today,” Francona said. “We sat around and talked about it last night for a while. I kind of tried to tell him because he feels such a responsibility to be out there that I don’t want him to hurt himself. By trying to get this under control, we don’t have to fight it all year. I trust his judgment, too. I know he wants to be out there, I know he’ll be out there, so we’re just going to keep an eye on him.”

With Ortiz out, the Sox shifted Manny Ramirez to designated hitter and inserted Wily Mo Pena in left. Francona sees it as a great opportunity to rest Ramirez, who leads the Sox with 49 games played.

“It’s the perfect chance,” he said. “We actually told him he could do that in Texas on Sunday but he wanted to play left field. Anytime we can keep his bat, that can only help us in the long run. Anytime you can keep the bat and keep his legs refreshed, that’s good.”

Pedroia’s stock rises

Another player on the rise is second baseman Dustin Pedroia. He entered last night’s game having hit safely in a career-best eight straight games and has seen his average skyrocket from .182 to .298 over his last 18 games. He had three hits in Monday night’s win over the Indians. Francona was asked if Pedroia is exceeding expectations.

“I think if you go back and look at all the questions and answers, I think we said, ‘Young kid playing here in April, you might not see the player you’re going to see.’ I think now we’re seeing the player we hoped for. I actually think that he and (Alex) Cora (have combined for) a real good second baseman. What they give us both together has been phenomenal.”

Cora got off to a great start filling in for Pedroia and is still hitting .319 in eight fewer games than Pedroia. There were rumblings of elevating Cora back in April but Francona said the patience the club showed is paying off.

“I know there was some clamoring to give up on Pedroia early. I think that would’ve been a big, big mistake,” Francona said. “He’s a pretty good player. He knows how to play the game.”

Pedroia has eight multiple-hit games in May. The manager said the team did not consider benching Pedroia.

Yankee series matchups

The matchups for the weekend Yankees series have been set. Chieng-Ming Wang will face Tim Wakefield Friday, Mike Mussina and Curt Schilling will duel Saturday and Andy Pettitte will go against Josh Beckett Sunday.

Julian Tavarez once again will be held back. He is slated to go Monday when the Sox begin a road trip in Oakland.

kmcnamar@projo.com