Jed Lowrie, who doubled and later scored on a Coco Crisp single in the sixth inning, has been a key member of the Red Sox since his recall from Pawtucket.

The Providence Journal / Bob Breidenbach

PAWTUCKET — No matter how the Pawtucket Red Sox fare in the Governors’ Cup playoffs — which begin here tomorrow against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees — the 2008 season has been a huge success.

Normally, it’s not about wins and losses at the minor-league level because the parent Red Sox are primarily concerned with development. But every once in a while a winning season is worth it, too.

“It’s about as good as it gets,” said PawSox manager Ron Johnson. “I’ve been managing for 17 years in the minors, and as a developer and evaluator, this season has come together as good as you could have scripted with all the guys in the big leagues, and with other guys coming up, and to have continued success is really good stuff.”

This season the PawSox finished with an 85-58 record and had a solid mix of winning and development. That is clearly noticeable with the number of players who have helped the Red Sox so far in 2008.

Not including September call-ups, Johnson has sent 16 different players to Boston this season, and most have made significant contributions, including Jed Lowrie, Joe Thurston, David Pauley, Craig Hansen, Bryan Corey, Brandon Moss, Jonathan Van Every, Chris Smith, Bartolo Colon, Justin Masterson, Chris Carter, Clay Buchholz, Charlie Zink, Jeff Bailey, David Ross and Michael Bowden.

The biggest impact so far has been made by Lowrie, who has been recalled three times, with the latest being the most important after shortstop Julio Lugo was placed on the disabled list on July 12 with a quadriceps injury. Lowrie, a rookie, has been outstanding at the plate and in the field, and may have rooted himself into that position permanently.

On the mound, Masterson has also been a key factor for the Red Sox, as a starter and now in the bullpen. Buchholz had some growing pains this season in the big leagues, but he no doubt will be an important part of the club’s rotation in the near future. Bowden proved in his major-league debut on Saturday that he’ll be a future starter, too.

Then there are the six-year free agents the organization signed to complement the prospects. The leadership provided by Bailey, Thurston, Van Every and Keith Ginter has been important, also, and no one knows that more than Johnson.

With the club’s 2-1 victory on Sunday, the PawSox set a franchise record for victories, with 84, surpassing the 2003 team’s total of 83 wins. Pawtucket also established its highest winning percentage (.594) in a season and equaled its mark of most home wins, with 46. The previous highest winning percentage (.579) was set by the 1978 team.

Defensively, this year’s club also set a mark for fewest errors, with 87. The previous mark was 106 in 2006.

“It’s been an outstanding year to set a team record for victories,” said PawSox team president Mike Tamburro. “It’s a remarkable accomplishment for R.J. and this group of outstanding players. The veteran leadership on this team, the Red Sox did an outstanding job of going out and signing some quality six-year free agents who were the leaders of this club. Then we’ve had some great young players develop. It’s been a fun year.”

It’s not just the players who made this season special at McCoy Stadium, Tamburro said.

“We’re going to be in the vicinity of 635,000 fans (season total of 636,788), which will be our fourth-best year ever,” he said. “That’s a tribute to these great fans who come out and support us year after year.”

The PawSox’ season isn’t over, and the club can make it an even better one with a Governors’ Cup championship.

jmcdonal@projo.com