PAWTUCKET — Asked about the recent performance of Craig Hansen prior to last night’s game, Pawtucket Red Sox manager Ron Johnson became almost apologetic for carrying on about the right-hander, but says he’s just that excited about what he’s been seeing from the 23-year-old reliever.

Hansen still has some work to do on his command, still needs to lower his earned run average and still needs to work on staying ahead in the count, but Johnson says, “The quality of the stuff is awesome.”

“God, I’ve been impressed with him his last two outings,” Johnson said of the St. John’s University product, who was rated by Baseball America as the No. 8 prospect in the Boston organization at the start of the season. “He threw the ball extremely well in Louisville. I know the numbers aren’t showing that right now, but you can take the numbers and throw them away. And his slider two outings ago — the depth on it and the late depth to it — was really impressive.”

Johnson also liked what he saw from Hansen on Wednesday against Norfolk when he gave up one run on three hits and struck out two.

“He came and he pitched out of that jam in the seventh,” Johnson said. “You’re talking about a fisted ball to right and two emergency hacks by left-handed hitters, or he cruises. Plus, I really liked his mound presence. When that happened in the eighth inning, when (Terry) Tiffee hit the ground ball down the third-base line — (Hansen) stayed composed, he got back on the mound, he made pitches, he commanded the slider. We all know he’s got really, really good stuff, so I was really pleased.”

Miked up and liking it

Every time Cox Sports Television broadcasts a PawSox game, the network puts a microphone on Johnson during the home half of the fourth inning. Most pro managers despise conducting in-game interviews, but Johnson actually enjoys it and usually provides some entertaining commentary.

“It’s fun,” he said. “I like it more when we do something offensively. I don’t think it takes away from anything we do. I like talking to (broadcasters Dan Hoard and Bob Montgomery) and it’s about the fans first. Sometimes we’re so business [oriented], but it’s fun.”

Johnson adds that the one downfall to being wired is that the opposing third baseman and the fans think he is talking to himself. Last night’s game was televised on NESN, so the manager didn’t have to worry about wearing a microphone.

Around the bases

Jeff Bailey’s hitting streak seemed in jeopardy when he struck out, flew out to left and grounded out to third in his first three at-bats. But the PawSox first baseman finally extended his streak to six games when he stroked a single between third and short in the seventh. … With his first-inning run-scoring single, PawSox second baseman Bobby Scales has now hit safely in 9 of his last 10 games. … Brandon Moss saw his six-game hitting streak come to an end when he went 0-for-3 on Wednesday, but the Pawtucket outfielder immediately got back on track last night, singling in each of his first two at-bats. … Right-hander David Pauley (4-2, 3.73) will take the mound opposite southpaw Garrett Olson when Pawtucket and Norfolk conclude their four-game set tonight at 7:05. … The first 5,000 fans, aged 14-and-under, to arrive at McCoy Stadium for the game will receive a PawSox baseball, compliments of Cumberland Farms and ABC-6.

With staff reports from Joe McDonald.

cthorn@projo.com