Pauley

PAWTUCKET — It has been five years since the Pawtucket Red Sox were in first place this late in a season.

That was the last time the PawSox won the International League North’s regular-season title. They finished with 83 wins that year.

This season, the PawSox are on pace to finish with a club-record 87 victories. The PawSox have been successful in every aspect of the game, which has translated into the best record in the I.L. (49-31).

“We are rolling right now,” Pawtucket manager Ron Johnson said.

If it’s true that defense wins championships, Pawtucket should feel good about its chances of competing for the Governors’ Cup trophy. The PawSox, winners of five straight and 11 of their last 13, own the best fielding percentage in the league (.983). They also have committed the fewest errors in the league.

Pawtucket’s offense is one of the best, too.

The PawSox lead the league in runs scored (417) and are second in home runs (104), walks (296) and team batting average (.270). They were last in the league in team batting last season (.254).

“We just feel like we have enough power throughout the lineup to compete with anybody,” Jeff Bailey said. “If we get behind by two or three runs, we don’t think that is a big deal. If we get a couple of guys on, lately we’ve gotten a lot of clutch hitting.”

Pawtucket overcame a late two-run deficit on Sunday to win, 8-6, in 10 innings on a Jonathan Van Every walk-off two-run homer. On Monday, the PawSox trailed, 6-5, going to the bottom of the 10th but prevailed, 7-6.

They didn’t need late-inning heroics last night. Pawtucket crushed Richmond, 6-1, and improved to 44-3 when leading after six innings.

“We don’t get too worried about it when we get down a couple of runs,” Bailey said.

The pitching staff is one of the best in the league, as well. It ranks third in the I.L. in team ERA (3.73), and the PawSox’ pitchers have allowed the second-fewest hits in the league (636). They were eighth in team ERA (4.05) last season.

How have they been so successful this year?

“Everybody gets along in here,” Bailey said. “It’s just a lighthearted situation in the clubhouse, so that makes everything easier.”

Pawtucket pitcher David Pauley agrees.

“Chemistry has a lot to do with it,” Pauley said recently of Pawtucket’s success. “Everybody on this team respects each other and everyone gets along. Everyone is pushing for each other, and you can see that when someone gets called up to the big leagues. Everyone is really happy for him. … It makes it more fun to go out there and play. We’re just having fun and not worried about what’s going on above us.”

Bailey and Pauley are two of 11 PawSox players who have been called up to Boston this season.

Bailey is having an All-Star season. He is among the league leaders in slugging percentage, on-base percentage, runs scored (61), batting average (.315), extra-base hits (41), home runs (23) and RBI (57).

Pauley, who will pitch tomorrow, leads the team and is second in the league in wins (9-2). He also has a 3.78 ERA.

“It’s all about having success,” Johnson said. “The track record around here shows that if you have success and your slot becomes available, [the Red Sox] are going to give you a chance.”

roblee@projo.com