Zink

PAWTUCKET — PawSox knuckleball pitcher Charlie Zink had already left McCoy Stadium yesterday afternoon and was on his way home to Providence when manager Ron Johnson called and summoned him back to ballpark.

The 28-year-old career minor-leaguer had a gut feeling what Johnson wanted, and when Zink walked into the manager’s office he quickly realized he was right. Johnson, along with PawSox pitching coach Rich Sauveur, greeted him with the news that he just got his first call to the big leagues.

“It took me two minutes to get back here. I flew.” Zink said beaming. “I was so excited. This feeling is just awesome right now.”

After 7½ seasons in the minors, Zink will officially become a major-league pitcher when he starts for the Boston Red Sox against the Texas Rangers tonight at Fenway Park.

“This is everything I have ever dreamed of,” he said. “It has come true now and I’m going to the major leagues. It’s ridiculous. I’m at a loss for words. I really don’t know what to say about it. I’ll be smiling forever now. This is just awesome. Awesome!”

Zink will replace veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder stiffness. Zink stayed in Providence last night in order to get a comfortable night’s sleep in his own bed before driving to Fenway Park this morning to prepare for his major-league debut.

Zink, a Triple-A All-Star this season, is tied for the International League lead — along with teammate David Pauley — with 13 wins. Zink is 13-4 with a 2.89 ERA and this season has been most consistent.

“He’s done a great and he’s earned everything he’s got right now,” said Sauveur, a former major-league and knuckleball pitcher. “I just hope he goes up and does well because he’s done a fantastic job for us. I’m really happy. . . . He’s worked very hard this year at everything. He’s worked his butt off. The command of his knuckleball has been very good. If he gets into a jam, he doesn’t panic and he has very good damage control. His composure has been outstanding, and I’m just very happy for the kid. I hope he does well.”

Zink’s success at Triple-A this season has no doubt helped him earn this call-up. His PawSox numbers now mean absolutely nothing. He’s going to try to approach tonight’s start for the Red Sox just as he did for the other 127 minor-league starts in his pro career.

“If it’s going well, it should be just the same I imagine,” he said. “I’ll get up there and see. I know the atmosphere will be completely different, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it. It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be a blast. With all the adrenaline, I’ll be fine.”

Earlier this season, the Red Sox needed a starter when Daisuke Matsuzaka went on the DL in June. Since Zink was having tremendous success, there was speculation that he could get the call. Even he thought it would be possible. But it didn’t happen.

“I completely stopped thinking about that stuff,” he said. “Things have come up during the year and I’ve heard my name thrown in there. It started out as a letdown earlier this year, but it gave me more motivation to keep trying to do well here. Eventually I was hoping to get my shot, and it’s been a long time coming. Now finally everything has panned out the way I was hoping it would.”

After Wakefield was placed on the DL, there was speculation that Devern Hansack (5-10, 4.10 ERA) would get the call because tonight is his day to pitch in Pawtucket. Pauley ( 13-4, 3.32) pitched on Saturday, and rookie prospect Michael Bowden, 21, pitched yesterday at McCoy.

“Charlie’s been throwing real good. It’s kind of been a breakout year for him,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. “You look at the reports; he’s done well. And replacing Wake — this just seems like it’s the right opportunity for him to pitch . . . He seemed very excited; he should be. He’s coming in the middle of a pennant race. It’s a pretty good story. I think we’re all excited to watch him. He’s probably going to be nervous as hell. We’ll try to make him as comfortable as possible. Hopefully, he goes out and dazzles them.”

Zink will be pitching on only three days rest, but that won’t be a problem.

He’s worked on short rest three times this season and his numbers during those starts were very impressive. He’s 2-0 and allowed only one earned run in 15 1/3 innings in three outings — twice in April and once in May — with 13 strikeouts and eight walks.

Zink will be pitching in unfamiliar territory tonight, but he’ll be a little more comfortable knowing Red Sox catcher Kevin Cash will be behind the plate.

“I’m comfortable with him,” Zink said. “I’m just so excited right now.”

jmcdonal@projo.com