Second baseman puts family first

Pedroia, voted by fans as the starter for the American League, will miss this year’s showcase in St. Louis, which would have been his second consecutive All-Star Game. He consulted with manager Terry Francona, general manager Theo Epstein, executive Phyllis Merhige of Major League Baseball, and his wife.

“It was pretty tough, obviously,’’ Pedroia said. “I’ve got to be with my wife right now. It’s more important. Obviously I’m extremely honored to be selected by the fans. I wish I could be there, but I hope everybody understands.’’

Pedroia missed Monday night’s game against Oakland because his wife went into premature labor. Doctors were able to stabilize Kelli, who is due at the end of August. Her condition has remained stable since she was admitted to the hospital.

“She’s kind of the same right now,’’ Pedroia said. “That’s one of the reasons I was hoping she’d get better. That’s why I put it off to the last minute. But hopefully the next few days she gets better.’’

Francona watched Pedroia struggle all week with the decision, and Saturday the manager helped convince Pedroia his family should take precedence over the game.

“Real tough,’’ Francona said. “Probably tougher than even people realize. Because of his character, he was really having a tough time. I hope when it came down to it, I actually hope I influenced him. I’m not taking credit, but I hope I did.

“I said, ‘Pedey, look. What’s the worst-case scenario if you don’t go to the All-Star Game?’ He said, ‘Well, I’m mad.’ I said, ‘What’s the worst-case scenario if you go and Kelli is not . . . ’ And he said, ‘I can’t go.’

“I think he has been stressing about it,’’ Francona continued. “I think Kelli has been stressing about it. It’s not something he took remotely lightly at all. I know it’s the right decision. Because you can’t predict the future, it’s the only decision.’’

After missing Monday’s game, Pedroia was back in the lineup Tuesday. He got the winning hit in Friday night’s game and had two more hits Saturday. Yesterday, he went 2 for 4 with a run. Since last Sunday, the day before Pedroia’s wife went into the hospital, Pedroia is 15 for 31, perhaps the best stretch of his season.

“He always focuses,’’ Francona said. “When he plays and gets on the field, he has an amazing ability to play the game. Regardless of what’s going on, he’s a good player. That’s not going to take away from being a good player. I’m sure he’s been thinking about other things at times.’’

Pedroia made the All-Star team for the second time when he edged the Rangers’ Ian Kinsler in the fan vote. Pedroia is batting a team-best .303. Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Carlos Pena, Rays and AL manager Joe Maddon’s selection, will replace Pedroia on the roster. Aaron Hill of the Blue Jays will start at second.

“Our organization, Tito and everybody, have been unbelievable,’’ Pedroia said. “This is obviously a tough time for me and my wife, so we’re just trying to deal with it as best we can.’’

“This was certainly not an easy decision,’’ Pedroia said in a statement released by the Sox. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for the game of baseball and for the All-Star Game and am incredibly honored that the fans voted me this year’s starting second baseman for the American League.

“I am disappointed that I will not be able to enjoy the amazing experience with the other All-Stars, especially with my Red Sox teammates, but it is important that I put my family first at this time.’’

Bay became the first Red Sox player to reach base five times in one game without a hit since Ted Williams did it May 23, 1951, against the St. Louis Browns (five walks).

“It’s one of those anomalies,’’ said Bay. “Any time you get on base five times, regardless of how you do it, it’s a pretty good day.’’

“He swung the bat great,’’ Francona said. “Kind of what we saw this spring. He’s feeling pretty good about himself, attacking the ball. That’s great news.’’

Lowrie will play today at Single A Lowell because of the All-Star break.

Tazawa, who is 8-5 with 2.79 ERA for Portland, said through interpreter Kiyoshi Otano that a Red Sox official called during the more than four-hour rain delay and told someone on manager Jose Oquendo’s World Team staff that Tazawa, who had warmed up and was ready to go before the rains came in the middle of the first, should call it a night.

“Everybody is out there playing . . . I’m very disappointed,’’ said Tazawa during a 7-5 World Team win. “I was ready to go out on the mound, but I couldn’t do it.’’

The Sox’ only other representative, Casey Kelly, their No. 1 pick and 30th overall in 2008, pitched the sixth inning of a shortened seven-inning game for the US team and retired the side in order.

Kelly is headed for the Sox’ minor league complex in Fort Myers where he’ll begin the transition from pitcher to shortstop. The Sox had placed a 95-inning limit on his pitching season and Kelly came out of that with flying colors, going 7-5 with a 2.08 ERA in 17 starts in Single A.

“I’ve felt really good,’’ Kelly said. “My arm has felt really strong the last couple of outings so I think I’m getting stronger through the season, which is a good sign. This is kind of experimental to see which one is going to be the best. I think after this year I’ll assess pitching and see which way to go.’’

Nick Cafardo contributed to this report from St. Louis; Adam Kilgore can be reached at akilgore@globe.com