Afterwards Zink revealed it was a return to normalcy after Texas roughed him up for eight runs on 4 1/3 innings.  “I think it about sticking to what I do, which is throwing knuckleballs,” said Zink, now 13-5. “My problem in Boston is that I got away from that a little bit too much. My secondary pitches, which aren’t major league-caliber pitches, were used more, so I went back to throwing pretty much all knuckleballs.” Zink received little run support and departed with Pawtucket trailing 2-1. Josh Wilson led off the first inning with a solo home run and George Kottaras blasted his 22nd in the ninth. Other than that, there wasn’t much to right home about the locals offensively as the PawSox (77-53) finished with just five hits. Pawtucket’s magic number remained at four to clinch a playoff spot as Toledo was tied in extra innings in Norfolk as deadline approached. The deficit in the North Division remains at 2 ½ games.  *** Jason Lane didn’t remain on the open market for long. One day after a mutual parting of the ways with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Lane signed on with Pawtucket with an eye towards a September call-up when major league rosters expand to 40. Lane wasn’t the only fresh recruit brought to McCoy. The PawSox officially welcomed reliever Marcus McBeth from Louisville. Pawtucket had been caught short-handed the past couple of days, so obviously the new blood was a welcomed with open arms. “It’s good to get help for the ball club,” agreed Pawtucket manager Ron Johnson. “You don’t want to be short down the stretch.” Lane has appeared in 497 big league games spanning the Houston Astros (2002-07) and San Diego (briefly in 2007). His best season came with Houston in 2005 as a member of the National League champions. He collected 26 home runs and 78 RBI during the regular season and added three more homers in the playoffs. Johnson didn’t waste any time penciling in Lane into the lineup. The PawSox skipper inserted Lane in the No. 3 slot and right field. He finished 0-for-3 with a strikeout.  “I came over to play and I’m excited about that,” said the 31-year-old. “I checked around once I got released, but I was looking for an opportunity to get some at-bats.” Lane, also a first baseman was hoping for a similar chance when he signed with the Yankees last winter. Thanks to an oblique injury that sidelined him for three weeks and the organization wanting to head in a different direction, Lane got lost in the shuffle and felt a fresh start would be best. “Getting consistent playing time so that I become comfortable would help my chances to get back to the big leagues,” said Lane, who slugged 16 home runs and 51 RBI while with Scranton. “It’s a matter of finding the right situation.” The addition of Lane provides Johnson with another potent stick for the playoff push, but Lane hopes to be productive enough over the next 10 days that he’s awarded a return trip to the majors. “Hopefully there’s a need at the next level,” said Lane. McBeth gives Johnson eight options out the bullpen (six righties, two lefties). The 27-year-old McBeth was claimed by Boston off waivers on August 13. The right-hander had spent the entire season with Louisville, going 1-1 with a 6.20 ERA in 24 appearances. McBeth, who was touched for one run in one inning Tuesday, attended South Carolina. In addition to earning All-SEC honors as an outfielder, he was a punter on the Gamecocks football team.  *** EXTRA BASES: Starter Devern Hansack was placed on the disabled list Monday after suffering a right forearm contusion. He was struck with a battered ball in his last start against Buffalo. Hansack dealt with a similar ailment earlier this season and missed close to three weeks. … Bartolo Colon, slated to work Thursday, is expected to work 3-4 innings/ 50 pitches. His last start was reduced to one inning (last Friday in Syracuse) due to illness. … Jonathan Van Every returned to the lineup after missing 11 games with a strained oblique. He was lifted in the fifth inning by Sean Danielson after experiencing a stiff neck. … Chris Carter, on the DL with an oblique strain, is coming along and has been cleared to resume baseball-related activity. Johnson reported that Carter played catch on Tuesday. … Kyle Snyder has pitched three scoreless innings since coming off the DL last week with a groin injury. Johnson says the plan is to continue to pitch Snyder in a relief role with an eye towards next month. … Sandy Madera, who took a ball off the ankle last week, could be back soon, says Johnson. … The series with Syracuse continues tonight with David Pauley in search of his league-best 14th win against the Chiefs’ Brian Wolfe (2-2, 2.39 ERA). … Jeremy Accardo, on a rehab assignment for Toronto, worked a scoreless eighth inning for Syracuse.