PAWTUCKET –– Hunter Jones entered Sunday’s game at its most dramatic point: Eighth inning, two runners on, one out. A one-run lead. It’s the kind of situation some players enjoy and others fear.

His adrenaline pumping, Jones was happy to be there. And he quickly recorded a strikeout and a flyout to end the Columbus Clippers’ hopes of a comeback win.

Jones stayed in for the ninth and recorded his second save.

It’s a situation Jones hasn’t been in much this year. After serving as Pawtucket’s closer last season, Jones gave up the job this season first to Daniel Bard, and then to Fernando Cabrera. Jones got the ninth-inning work on Sunday because Cabrera was with his newborn daughter. Jones enjoyed the rush that comes from finishing a game.

“It’s one of those things that’s definite. If you’re coming in in the eighth and you get three outs, you feel good about yourself. But if you come in in the ninth and get three outs, you’re closing the game out; the game’s over when you step off the hill,” Jones said. “I think it makes a difference; it gives you more of an adrenaline rush.”

There are tactical advantages for the ninth-inning pitcher, as well: The pitcher doesn’t have to save his strength, and can attack the hitter with gusto.

“Say you get into a 2-2 count with somebody, you know it might be one of your last pitches, so hey, why not let it go,” Jones said.

Jones earned his first big-league call-up earlier this season and struggled, posting an 8.00 ERA in nine innings. He said that experience taught him a lot, particularly that some parts of his repertoire that may get a Triple-A hitter out won’t get a major-leaguer.

“I think it gives you a constant basis on what to compare yourself against, whether you’re doing well or not,” Jones said. “Knowing what you need to work on, against those hitters there, makes it a little easier to potentially be successful my next time back, because I know what I need to improve on.”

Van Every to Pirates

Center fielder Jonathan Van Every, who appeared in seven games for the Red Sox this season but was lost for the season to knee surgery and released, has latched on with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Van Every was in Florida rehabbing his knee when he was designated for assignment, and subsequently released when the Red Sox needed a roster spot for Jed Lowrie. But it was thought that the Red Sox wanted Van Every back next year, and simply made the move because their roster was too crowded.

Van Every, however, has taken the opportunity to move on, hoping for an easier route to a big leagues once his knee is healthy.

Van Every told Pawtucket manager Ron Johnson that he expects to get a chance to compete for a major-league roster spot in 2010.

“That’s the way he said it to me –– now, there’s a lot of time between now and then. I just hope he gets healthy. He gets healthy, he’s a real good player,” Johnson said.

Van Every, 29, had a roller-coaster year, spraining his right ankle in spring training and missing most of March and April. On his first day back with Pawtucket, he hit a game-tying ninth-inning grand slam to key a dramatic PawSox victory.

The smooth defender was then called up to Boston to replace the injured Rocco Baldelli and played well, hitting .364 with a home run and three RBI in 11 at-bats. He even pitched a scoreless inning during a blowout loss to Tampa Bay, becoming the first position player in five years to pitch for the Red Sox.

But he was soon back on the disabled list with a knee injury, and underwent season-ending knee surgery at the end of June.

“You wish the guy the best. He played well for us; it’s a situation which could work out better for him. Good luck to him,” Johnson said.

dbarbari@projo.com