PAWTUCKET — Things can’t get much better in the second half of the season for Fernando Cabrera. Jose Vaquedano is hoping for more of the same as well.

Cabrera and Vaquedano returned to McCoy Stadium on Thursday after pitching out of the bullpen in the Triple-A All-Star Game. It was a deserved reward for both pitchers, who’ve embraced their roles in the Pawtucket Red Sox bullpen and led a group that’s clearly been one of the bright spots this season.

Cabrera, 27, has been Mr. Perfect in the International League this season. A tall (6-foot-4), strong right-hander, Cabrera took over the Sox’ closer duties when Daniel Bard was called up to Boston in mid-May. Since then, he’s been handed 17 save opportunities and converted on every one.

“I don’t know how he could be any better,” said PawSox manager Ron Johnson. “He’s saved every game we’ve given him a chance to save, including the All-Star Game.”

The chance in Portland, Ore., on Wednesday was a rare bumpy one for Cabrera. He entered the game in the ninth inning with one out and an inherited runner at second base. After getting an out on a tap back to the mound, Cabrera allowed a two-run home run to Esteban German that cut the I.L.’s lead over the Pacific Coast League to 6-5. Cabrera had allowed just one homer over 30 innings before the All-Star break and he bounced back and struck out Eric Young to nail down the save.

“It’s always a good experience to be in an All-Star Game,” Cabrera said. “I feel proud about the recognition of the job you’ve been doing. Hopefully I can keep working hard and keep it going.”

While Cabrera has been money at the end of games, Vaquedano is the bullpen’s jack-of-all-trades. “He can do everything. He can pitch in whatever role we want him to,” said pitching coach Rich Sauveur.

Vaquedano struggled through a bumpy stint in Oregon. He opened the fifth inning and gave up back-to-back singles. A wild pitch moved the runners into scoring position and German singled to knock in two runs. Even with the rocky outing, Vaquedano impressed. Erik Kratz, the catcher for the Indianapolis Indians, told minorleaguebaseball.com that he liked the righty’s unique sidearm delivery.

“You face those guys during the season and you’re like, ‘Man, how am I ever going to hit against this guy,’ and I’m up there trying to catch him. He’s unbelievable,” Kratz said. “I used to face him when he threw overhand. Now he’s down underneath and he’s even more nasty. I thought he was nasty before and he’s unbelievable now.”

Sauveur said that while Vaquedano struggled at times in his first season in Triple-A, in 2008 (40 IP, 49 hits, 26 walks), he’s bounced back and performed well.

“The second time through, knowing what to expect, he’s done very well. He’s trusting his stuff and not over-throwing,” said Sauveur. “This year he has a breaking ball he can throw for strikes and now he can have success.”

Sauveur can’t say enough good things about his closer, Cabrera. “I think he can pitch in the big leagues right now. I really do,” he said.

Of course, the Red Sox are deep in not only closers with Jonathan Papelbon and Bard, but in the bullpen in general. Cabrera has major-league experience with Cleveland and Baltimore, and while he might be able to pitch for teams like that right now, he says he’s happy where he is. He recently declined an out in his contract to remain a part of Boston’s system.

“I like the organization and the opportunities they give me,” said Cabrera, who owns a 1.17 ERA in 38 1/3 innings. “I know I’m still here but I feel really comfortable with the coaches. The organization shows me respect and I care about that. In this game you never know what will happen. I’m here right now and everybody is doing a real good job [in Boston] and everybody is healthy so I’m going to keep working hard and see if I get the chance. If not here, then maybe some other team. But I really like this organization.”

kmcnamar@projo.com