Red Sox outfielder Jonathan Van Every, preparing to glove a single in a game against the Indians in Boston last week, says, “Hopefully I can contribute to some victories in the coming days.”

The Providence Journal / Gretchen Ertl

BOSTON — At this time last year, Jonathan Van Every was already back home in Brandon, Miss., his season with Triple-A Buffalo cut short by inflammation in his left knee.

So how did it feel to be standing in the Red Sox’ clubhouse yesterday afternoon preparing to head out to Anaheim for the ALDS?

“It’s great,” said the 28-year-old outfielder, who spent most of this season in Pawtucket after being signed as a free agent last December and was recalled to Boston on Sept. 12. “This time last year, I was home; I wasn’t even playing. So it’s definitely been a good year, and hopefully I can contribute to some victories in the coming days.”

Van Every, who hit .263 with 26 homers and 70 RBI in 119 games for the PawSox this season, helped the Red Sox end the regular season on a high note when he drove in Coco Crisp with a two-out, bases-loaded single in the bottom of the 10th to give Boston a 4-3 win over the Yankees on Sunday night.

“I just went up there trying to put myself in a position to give myself a chance and just put the bat on the ball,” he said. “When I put the bat on the ball, good things happen, so that’s all I was trying to do. . . . Any time you step on the field you want to win. That’s just the competitive nature in all of us, so especially being in Fenway Park and having a chance to hit a walk-off single to beat the Yankees, it’s a pretty good feeling.”

cthorn@projo.com