As Terry Francona entered the Fenway Park media room this afternoon, he was trailed by NESN analyst Ken Macha, prompting Don Orsillo to issue the following crack:

"I thought you were introducing the new manager," said Macha's NESN colleague to some chuckles.

* A day after Dustin Pedroia replaced Julio Lugo at the top of the lineup, Francona gave his second baseman tonight's game off, replacing him with Alex Cora. Coco Crisp will lead off tonight. "When Pedroia was struggling, it was popular not to play Pedroia," said Francona. "Then Pedroia gets hot. He's a good player, but so is AC. We just want to keep a good balance."

* Francona confirmed an ESPN.com report that David Ortiz, currently on the All-Star ballot as a first baseman, lobbied to have Kevin Youkilis take his place on the players' ballot. If MLB accepts the paperwork that the Sox have yet to file, Youkilis would replace Ortiz in the players' segment of voting. Francona explained it as a case of Ortiz being a good teammate. "David's good and been good," said Francona, who acknowledged not understanding the specifics of the All-Star process. "Youkilis is making a name for himself. Sometimes young guys who are doing well go under the radar, and they have to do something phenomenal to get national attention. We all knew what he was doing, but it was that hitting streak that did that for Youk."

* Francona said he considered Youkilis as tonight's leadoff man, but said the first baseman isn't as comfortable at the top of the order as in other positions.

* Jonathan Papelbon and Kyle Snyder spent time on the clubhouse couch flipping through a copy of duPont Registry with a Corvette Z06 on the cover. While he hit 97 m.p.h. last night, Papelbon has a ways to go to reach the 'Vette's top speed of 198.