SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Like nomads, the Pawtucket Red Sox have been plugging away on the road since July 3.

But if they keep winning away from McCoy Stadium, as they did last night with a 6-5 triumph over the Syracuse Chiefs, they might not want to come home.

The PawSox have now guaranteed themselves a winning sojourn, their fifth win on the current nine-game swing with one more left to play.

But of greater concern is the health of prized outfield prospect Brandon Moss, who came up lame in the bottom of the fourth inning while chasing down a gapper by the Chiefs’ Adam Lind. Moss, who was playing in center field for just the second time in his career, got his feet crossed up on the Alliance Bank Stadium’s artificial surface, and suffered what appeared to be a groin pull. He walked off gingerly under his own steam, replaced by Jacoby Ellsbury, who had been making his first-ever pro appearance in right.

The injury came while Pawtucket held a 3-1 lead, which Moss had helped build with a third-inning RBI single.

Syracuse later tied the score, 3-3, in the fifth off starter Mike Burns (2-6).

But the PawSox promptly regained the lead with three runs in the top of the sixth. Hot-handed George Kottaras (7 for his last 13) singled to start the inning, then was doubled to third by Ed Rogers. A single by Joe McEwing, David Murphy’s sacrifice fly, and Michael Tucker’s double plated the runs.

Syracuse made matters close in the seventh on Ray Olmedo’s two-run homer off reliever Craig Breslow. Closer Travis Hughes buttoned down the win in the ninth to earn his 13th save.

AROUND THE BASES

•When PawSox fans got their last look at Abe Alvarez at McCoy Stadium two weeks ago, he was an over-the-top left-handed starting pitcher.

But much about Alvarez has changed in the brief interim. He no longer throws strictly overhand, but has taken to frequently dropping down to a side-arm slot.

And, for the first time in his professional career, Alvarez is no longer a member of the rotation. Instead, he is now stationed in the bullpen, with the conversion process to a relief role fully under way.

Not everything about Alvarez has changed. He is still left-handed, and he is still driven to be a full-time big-league pitcher, even if it means making it as a “situational lefty.” Thus his willingness to try some new things.

“Now that I’m in the bullpen,” the 24-year-old Californian said, “I can use it as a huge weapon if I can come in get a lefty out. If I don’t make it in the big leagues as a starter, I can work hard and make it as a reliever.”

Southpaw specialists have been known to enjoy lengthy careers in recent years. The names of Tony Fossas, Rheal Cormier and Jesse Orasco, a favorite of Alvarez who pitched until he was 47, all come to mind.

“I can see myself being 47 and getting a big lefty out,” he said. “If that’s my only job, I’ll be happy to do it.”

•Pawtucket will wrap up the road trip tonight (6:05), with RHP Devern Hansack (5-6, 3.40) set to face Chiefs’ RHP Jeremy Cummings (3-5, 3.95).