PAWTUCKET –– PawSox first baseman/outfielder Chris Carter emerged from manager Ron Johnson office Sunday afternoon in a very good mood.

“What a game,” he said.

Just because it’s May, don’t think for a second Carter wasn’t being genuine with his statement. He was.

The PawSox and the Buffalo Bisons combined to put 20 zeros on the scoreboard until both clubs scored in the 11th inning, which ended with Pawtucket winning, 3-2.

After the Bisons pushed across two runs in the top of the inning, the PawSox’ Paul McAnulty doubled to lead off the home half, Travis Denker singled to put runners on the corners, Angel Chavez provided an RBI single, and pinch-hitter Sandy Madera added an infield single to load the bases before newcomer Freddy Guzman tied the game at 2-2 with a RBI single. Jonathan Van Every then took four straight balls from Buffalo reliever Eddie Kunz and drew the game-winning walk.

"How ’bout that? What a great comeback," said Johnson as he dug into his sushi compliments of rehabbing Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka. "It was a really good comeback. I was waiting a long time for someone to flip one in that [visitors] bullpen because of the conditions. The wind was blowing across and if someone can hit one decent to right field it’s going out."

Johnson was right. Unfortunately for the PawSox it was the Bisons’ Argenis Reyes who figured it out first.

His two-run shot off PawSox reliever Jose Vaquedano gave Buffalo a 2-0 lead in the top of the 11th inning. For Reyes, it was his first of the season and 10th of his minor-league career in 786 at-bats.

But the PawSox responded in the bottom of the inning.

"At least it ended," joked Van Every. "When a guy is throwing as well as Michael [Bowden] did today, you want to give him some support. On the other hand, you have to give their guy credit, too. [Dillon Gee] threw real well and we just couldn’t figure him out."

On May 7 against Toledo, Van Every crushed a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game before Pawtucket won it in extra innings. On Sunday, he wasn’t thinking about ending it with one swing.

"Absolutely not," he said. "Just trying to figure out a way to get on base and get a win. Luckily it turned out in our favor and we’ll go get them again tomorrow."

Bowden worked eight scoreless innings and allowed only three hits with four walks and seven strikeouts. The right-hander threw 93 pitches, 61 for strikes. Gee was solid, too, working 6 1/3 with 3 hits, 5 walks and 8 strikeouts.

Since the game was on Cox Sports Television, Bowden was in the clubhouse watching the 11th inning unfold.

"I was in here watching and I’m like, ’C’mon. Throw a strike. I don’t want to win the game on a walk.’ JV definitely has the ability to put the ball in the outfield and it would have been a little more exciting, but we’ll take it. We needed something like that," Bowden said.

Van Every practicing at first

If a player can expose himself to different positions to make himself more versatile, it can only help his chances of getting, or returning, to the big leagues.

PawSox outfielder Jonathan Van Every is a perfect example of this.

Prior to Sunday’s matinee game at McCoy Stadium, he was working at first base with Red Sox roving infield coordinator Bruce Crabbe.

The two were going over situations, including placement on cutoffs, relays, and how and when to hold a runner on.

"I’m just trying to be as versatile as I can," he said. "If a void opens up, we’ll see how it turns out."

The last time the 29-year-old outfielder played first was in high school.

"It’s been awhile," he said. "Athletically, I think I can do it. It’s just a matter of getting comfortable and getting ground balls and knowing where to be at the right time. I’m just trying to add to my versatility in case something happens. I’m just trying to make myself as accessible as possible."

Van Every spoke to Red Sox manager Terry Francona about practicing at first base when he was playing for Boston earlier this season. Francona thought it was a good idea. But it’s not as though management has made it a point for Van Every to get work at first.

"It’s been something that has been discussed over the last year and a half," said PawSox manager Ron Johnson. "It’s more for him. He wants to do it and I’m a really big believer. I think it would be great for him, or anybody who can create more value for yourself. We know he’s a top-notch outfielder at any position, so it’s a natural fit [at first]. He’s tall and left-handed. It’s another asset you can bring."

While he won’t be playing first base anytime soon in a game, Van Every will continue to work on it.

"I think it’s a very good idea for him," said Johnson.

Lopez back on the hill

Javier Lopez returned to the mound Sunday in fine fashion.

The left-handed pitcher was designated for assignment by the Red Sox last week, cleared waivers and arrived at McCoy Stadium on Saturday ready to begin his rebirth as a solid reliever.

Lopez worked a perfect 1-2-3 ninth inning for the PawSox, producing three ground outs on eight pitches (five strikes).

"I though Javy did a really nice job," said PawSox manager Ron Johnson. "It was an easy inning and his stuff looked really good."

Lopez had not thrown since May 9 in Boston.

Otness debuts

Catcher John Otness made his Triple-A debut on Sunday for the PawSox. He went 0 for 3, but threw out a potential base-stealer and played like a seasoned vet behind the plate.

The 27-year-old backstop was signed by the Red Sox as non-drafted free agent on June 18, 2004 and was promoted from Double-A Portland on May 14 when PawSox catcher Carlos Maldonado was placed on the disabled list. Otness has played the last two seasons with the Sea Dogs and had a .185 average in seven games this year at the time of his call up to Pawtucket.

PawSox manager Ron Johnson said after Sunday’s game that Otness will play the next two in order to give Dusty Brown a rest. Brown did not play on Sunday due to a sore left knee, which is a result of a tremendous defensive play when he blocked the plate and tagged a runner out.

On Sunday, Otness was reunited with batterymate Michael Bowden.

"He stepped in and did a great job today," said Bowden. "I threw to him a lot last year, and I feel very comfortable."

Johnson was impressed with Otness, too.

"He lived up to exactly what I had heard about his reputation," said PawSox manager Ron Johnson. "He’s a guy who can really handle a staff and a guy who knows how to call a game. He threw the ball very well."

Otness also played for the Newport Gulls in the New England Collegiate Baseball League in 2003.

jmcdonal@projo.com