HIGHLIGHTS: When Charlie Zink’s knuckleball is working, the pitcher is deceptive and barely hittable. Problem is, for most of the past two months, Zink hasn’t been able to harness his pitch, and it’s led to a miserable June and July for the 29-year-old starter.

Finally, this afternoon Zink reined in his dancing ball, and used it to shut down the powerful Columbus Clippers lineup, earning the victory in the 3-2 win.

Zink didn’t have great control –– he walked six and hit one batter, his 22nd of the year –– but his ball was moving and he showed an ability to get out of jams with ground balls.

“I was real pleased with everything today. That’s a real good offensive ball club over there, and for Charlie to do what he did today? I mean, he still walked six guys, but he didn’t give it up,” said PawSox manager Ron Johnson.

Zink said a change in his mechanics has made a difference –– he’s keeping his arm closer to his head, so that the ball doesn’t sail out toward a right-handed batter. Zink has already hit 22 batters this season, more than double the previous team record. He hit one batter today.

“I’ve been throwing it, getting my arm extended too early. It’s been shooting at the right-handed hitters. That’s why I hit all righties, and never a lefty,” he said.

It was Zink’s best outing since June 1, when he last allowed two runs. It’s been a tough season for the 2008 International League Pitcher of the Year, (he now owns 11 losses and a 5.49 ERA) but he’s hopeful that this will be a jumping-off point.

“It’s just slowly getting there, getting comfortable again, and believing that I can get the guys out again. Because I’m getting the ground balls I need, just not at people. This was a good confidence-builder; hopefully we can keep rolling with it.”

BIG NAMES: It was a good thing Zink brought his A-game. After Pawtucket beat up Columbus pitching for 13 runs Saturday, the Clippers sent onetime parent-club big gun Fausto Carmona to the mound, a former 19-game winner. Carmona has struggled badly this season in the majors, posting a 7.42 ERA in 60 major-league innings, but he had allowed only two runs and struck out 15 in his last two minor-league starts.

Pawtucket’s weak offense figured to be an easy mark for Carmona, but the PawSox defied their reputation and got key hits when they needed them, including a double from Jeff Natale, a homer by Chris Duncan and an RBI single by Chris Carter.

GAME-SAVER: Columbus threatened in the eighth against reliever Rocky Cherry, who hit a man and walked a batter. But Hunter Jones came in to save the day, notching a power strikeout of Andy Cannizaro and inducing a fly ball from Damaso Espino to end the danger.

With closer Fernando Cabrera absent following the birth of his daughter, Jones stayed in for the ninth inning and earned his second save of the season.

STREAKS: The win marked the first time in more than a month that Pawtucket has won two games in a row, dating back to June 21.

BIG HIT: Newcomer Duncan showed off some of the power that made him the National League’s Rookie of the Year in 2006. Duncan mashed a home run to right center, his first with the Boston organization since coming over from the St. Louis Cardinals. Duncan also struck out three times, giving him a .111 average, a homer, two RBI and three walks in his three games so far.

NEXT UP: Columbus and Pawtucket finish their series at 12:05 p.m. Monday with a matchup of Columbus’ LHP Zach Jackson (4-7, 5.38 ERA) vs. Pawtucket’s Kris Johnson (3-11, 6.37 ERA).

dbarbari@projo.com