Craig Hansenwas a big part of the PawSox’ win.

AP / Stephan Savoia

PAWTUCKET — The Pawtucket Red Sox’ season is all but over.

On Monday afternoon, the 2007 season will be done, with the PawSox finishing in the middle of the I.L. North Division and out of the postseason. Despite their place in the standings this year, Pawtucket has continued to excite the fans at McCoy Stadium.

Trailing by three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning last night, PawSox catcher George Kottaras followed singles by Jeff Bailey and Bobby Scales by delivering a three-run homer that tied the game at 6-6 and forced extra innings.

Brandon Moss capped the comeback when he drove in Jed Lowrie with a single in the bottom of the 10th to give Pawtucket a 7-6 victory over the Buffalo Bisons.

“I’m proud of these guys,” said PawSox manager Ron Johnson. “These guys are playing for something.”

What made last night’s victory impressive was the fact that Buffalo was 54-0 this season when leading after eight innings.

“It was a first-pitch fastball away and I was just looking for something I could handle,” said Kottaras, who is batting over .300 in his last 28 games, including six homers and 19 RBI. “I saw it out of his hand pretty well. I swung and out it went.”

Almost lost in the late-inning offensive heroics was the job PawSox reliever Craig Hansen did. The hard-throwing right-hander worked 1 2/3 perfect innings, with two strikeouts.

“He was great, awesome,” said Kottaras. “He was outstanding and he looked healthy after the injury, which is great to see. He’s had quite a few good outings, but this was one of his better ones. It’s great to see him come along.”

There’s been some discussion whether or not Hansen has what it takes to return to the majors after three different stints (38 appearances) with the Red Sox last season. The former St. John's star has struggled all of this season and was recently on the disabled list with an elbow injury. But Johnson believes Hansen has the ability to help the Boston Red Sox.

“He threw the ball very well,” said the manager. “His stuff was good and I was very impressed with his outing tonight.”

Because it’s been a disappointing season, Hansen is hoping to end it on a good note with a September callup.

“I hope so,” he said. “The way things are going right now, I feel comfortable pitching and with all my mechanics, I feel real smooth on the mound. I haven’t felt that way in a while.”

Clayton’s McCoy debut

Major-league veteran Royce Clayton made his McCoy Stadium debut for the PawSox last night after signing a minor-league deal with the Red Sox on Aug. 23. Entering the game against the Bisons, the 16-year major-league player was 3-for-16 for Pawtucket on its recent road trip. He went 1-for-5 with an RBI last night.

“It’s been fantastic,” said Johnson. “He has come down here and has been great. He’s a real solid person. He has so much big-league time — we’re just trying to get him in condition, and he knows what to do. He’s a lot of fun to be around.”

Clayton, who was released by the Toronto Blue Jays on Aug. 8, has 2,100 games of big-league experience with the Giants, Cardinals, Rangers, White Sox, Brewers, Rockies, Diamondbacks, Nationals, Reds and Blue Jays. The Red Sox will likely call him up at the conclusion of the PawSox’ season.

Who’s going up?

With major-league rosters expanding on Sept. 1, there’s always talk about who will get the call. With catcher Kevin Cash already in Boston because of Doug Mirabelli’s calf injury, it’s likely he’ll stay when Mirabelli is reinstated. PawSox outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury and Brandon Moss are certain to be recalled., along with pitchers Devern Hansack and Clay Buchholz.

Around the bases

With his single to lead off the bottom of the first inning last night, Ellsbury now has a 24-game hitting streak. He recently broke the former club record of 19 straight games held by Dave Stapleton (1979) and Dave Berg (2005). … With Clayton now with the PawSox, Lowrie has been shifted to second base. The right side of the infield is familiar territory for the Red Sox prospect as he played second during his collegiate career at Stanford. Johnson said Lowrie is a true shortstop . … Former PawSox assistant general manager Daryl Jasper was in attendance last night. The Seekonk native was named executive vice president of business operations for the New Hampshire FisherCats, the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, prior to this season after having spent 12 years in the PawSox organization. … The first 4,000 fans through the turnstiles at McCoy Stadium tomorrow night will receive a Triple-A Baseball Heroes Comic Book.

jmcdonal@projo.com