BOSTON — Prior to last night’s game, Red Sox manager Terry Francona discussed the club’s decision to ask Major League Baseball to put Kevin Youkilis on the All-Star ballot in place of David Ortiz.

The Red Sox, however, still need to file the proper paperwork with the league before a decision is made.

Francona was told of the situation by general manager Theo Epstein on Monday, the team’s off-day, and the manager is in full agreement.

“The way I understand it is that it’s on the players’ vote,” said Francona. “I don’t understand all the idiosyncrasies of it, but what it comes down to is David being a really good guy and a great teammate. He’s trying to help Youk out.

“I think the ball club feels that David, because of his popularity, is going to be the first baseman, and maybe this is a chance to have the players’ vote because [Youkilis] wouldn’t be on there. … I think it’s David being real classy. That’s it in a nutshell because I don’t think I understand all the other things.”

With the season Youkilis is having, it’s understandable why the Red Sox and their fans feel he should participate in the All-Star Game next month in San Francisco. American League All-Star manager Jim Leyland can add up to seven players, but four have to be pitchers.

It’s a pretty good bet the Red Sox will get their way and Youkilis will be an All-Star. The first baseman entered last night’s game with a .335 average with 8 homers and 33 RBI. He’s been outstanding defensively and has quickly become a fan favorite.

“It shows how David wants to be a good teammate,” said Youkilis. “He’s been there and done that. He’s trying to do a good thing and I appreciate it. To be an All-Star is not my goal, but to go the first time would be an unbelievable honor. It would be a bonus to the way this year has gone for our team.”

Ortiz has just continued to be himself on and off the field. The Red Sox slugger entered last night’s game with a .340 average, including 11 homers and 42 RBI and also deserves to be an All-Star.

“They’re both really good,” said Francona. “David’s been good and is still good. Youk is making a name for himself, which is great. Sometimes when young guys are doing well, it goes under the radar and they almost have to do something phenomenal to get national attention. That hitting streak [23 games from May 5 to June 1] did that for Youk. We all knew what he was doing, but when he put that hitting streak together, he got some national recognition, which is great.”

He’ll get even more if he’s playing in San Francisco next month.

“He’s deserving,” said Red Sox veteran third baseman Mike Lowell. “We have a lot of guys here who are deserving.”

Cora replaces Pedroia

After serving as the lead-off hitter for the first time this season on Tuesday night, Red Sox rookie second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who went 1-for-4 in that role, was out of the lineup last night. Francona said he just wanted to get Alex Cora in the game in order to keep the utility infielder focused.

“We just try to keep it spread out and keep guys sharp,” said Francona. “We just want to keep it balanced.”

A month ago Pedroia’s average was hovering around .200, but he went on a tear and is now hitting .314. Cora, who was on fire at the start of the season, entered last night’s game hitting .287.

Another error by Lugo

Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo made an error in the first inning last night, the second time he’s had a miscue while Curt Schilling was on the mound in as many starts. In Oakland last Thursday, Schilling tossed a complete-game one-hitter, but Lugo’s error in that game caused the Sox’ starter spoiled his perfect-game attempt. Lugo has made three errors in the last six games and now has five in the last 18.

Ochoa off to Hiroshima?

The Red Sox signed major-league veteran Alex Ochoa as a minor-league free agent last January and, after spring training, assigned him to Pawtucket. On May 16 the Sox released the journeyman outfielder and it appears he has returned to Japan, where he played four seasons (2003-2006) for Chunichi. Reportedly Ochoa, who hit .138 with the PawSox, will sign with the Hiroshima Carp of Japan’s Central League.

skrasner@projo.com