01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, April 11, 2006

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

PAWTUCKET -- With the way Willie Harris played center field for the Pawtucket Red Sox last night, one would have thought he would be the guy called up to replace the injured Coco Crisp. That isn't the case.

After the PawSox suffered a 5-0 defeat to the Rochester Red Wings last night at McCoy Stadium, outfielder Dustan Mohr, who is 2-for-15 in Pawtucket, was called in to the manager's office and told by Ron Johnson he is heading to Boston.

"I'm excited to have the opportunity," said Mohr, who started last night's game as Pawtucket's designated hitter but was pulled in the bottom of the eighth inning. "It's kind of a bittersweet thing because you hate to get called up because of an injury, but on the other hand I'm excited. This is the reason I signed with Boston, to be a Red Sox. I'm ready to go up there and do what they ask me to do."

Over the weekend he talked about how disappointed he was about being in the minors, but his tone after last night's game was completely different.

"It's gratifying," he said. "There's nothing wrong with playing in Triple-A. There are players here who can play in the major leagues tomorrow or yesterday, but sometimes you have to be patient. I will admit I'm not a patient person by nature. I have never been. I'm just thankful to have the opportunity to go back and be in the big leagues, especially with a team like the Red Sox."

He said the first phone call he was going to make was to his wife back home in Denver. The couple is expecting their first child in a couple of weeks.

Web gems by Harris

Harris turned in two tremendous defensive plays.

He provided the season's first defensive gem in the top of the fifth inning. Rochester's Jason Hart lifted a high fly ball to the warning track in straight-away center and Harris snared it with a tremendous over the shoulder catch.

Harris topped that in the top of the seventh inning with probably one of the best catches in recent history at McCoy Stadium. With no outs and a runner on first, Wings' Jason Bartlett crushed a ball to straight-away center. Harris was in a full sprint heading towards the 400 mark when he dove, made the catch and drilled the wall head-first.

He said after the game the news of Crisp's injury was not a motivational factor for his performance last night.

"That's the way I play regardless of the situation is," he said. "I knew about [the Crisp]] situation, but that's not why I'm out there running after the ball like I'm doing. That's just in me to be competitive and try to let your pitchers know you'll run through the wall for them, regardless of what the score is or what the situation is. You still have to play the game right."

Alvarez on mound tonight

Lefty Abe Alvarez (0-0, 3.60) will make his second start of the season tonight. He was Pawtucket's Opening Day starter and worked five innings, allowing two runs (earned) on two hits (a pair of solo homers) with five strikeouts and no walks.

He recorded an 11-6 record last season in Pawtucket with a 4.85 E.R.A., while striking out 109 and walked only 31 in 144 2/3 innings.

Wooten behind the plate

Former PawSox catcher Shawn Wooten was behind the plate for Rochester last night.

He signed with the Minnesota Twins as a free agent last December and had a solid spring training before he was sent to the minors. As a member of the 2005 PawSox, he hit .267 with 17 homers and 60 RBI. He has clearly trimmed down this season and is listed at 5-foot-10 and 230 pounds.

Close call for Delcarmen

A scary moment occurred in the top of the fifth inning when Red Sox pitching prospect, Manny Delcarmen, appeared to have twisted an ankle after delivering a pitch.

Immediately, team trainer Greg Barajas, pitching coach Mike Griffin and manager Ron Johnson attended to the hard-throwing reliever. Fortunately, Delcarmen was fine and remained in the game. He finished 2 1/3 innings, allowing one hit with one walk and two strikeouts.

jmcdonal@projo.com / (401) 277-7340