By BRENDAN MCGAIR

Sports writer

PAWTUCKET – There’s an interesting pattern that’s developing with Chris Carter: more time at designated hitter, resulting in fewer opportunities in the field.
Sunday marked the seventh time in nine games Carter has been penciled as Pawtucket’s DH. Being labeled strictly a DH might be fine if you’re an aging player, but not if you’re a 26-year-old still looking to create an identity, which Carter is.
Seeing his time in the field shrink has also hurt Carter on a couple of levels. When Jeff Bailey landed on the disabled list last week, Carter was bypassed in favor of Aaron Bates, who was promoted from Double-A to Triple-A last month. Bates is primarily a first baseman who in a pinch can play the outfield. In short, he is a younger version of Bailey.
Bates’ promotion appeared to have opened the door for Carter to fill Pawtucket’s void at first base. It’s a position, however, Carter has seen action at just 11 times in 2009, none coming since May 29. Sunday saw Gil Velazquez, a middle infielder by trade, make his first start of the season at first.
“I’m happy wherever I get to play and I’m going to do whatever it takes to help the team win,” said Carter. “I’m going to make the most of whatever opportunities I get.”
“The thing about Chris is that he’s a professional bat,” said Pawtucket manager Ron Johnson following a 5-4 loss to Syracuse.
If there’s anything to glean from the recent transactions involving PawSox players, it’s that it’s becomingly increasingly difficult to latch on with the parent club. The competition is fierce, for many of the players who have called McCoy Stadium home these past few months could easily find work with a weaker MLB team, Carter not withstanding.
All the signs pointed towards this season being a breakout campaign for Carter, especially after landing a spot on Boston’s Opening Day roster. Three months later he has to wonder when his next shot, both in the field with Pawtucket and with the parent club, will come.  
***
The news continues to be encouraging for rehabbing shortstop Jed Lowrie. One night after clubbing his first multi-hit game of his stretched-out rehab, Lowrie went 1-for-3 with a double on Sunday, playing all nine innings.
The plan is for Lowrie to take today off before heading off to Single-A Lowell to continue rehabbing his surgically repaired left wrist with games Tuesday and Wednesday. He is expected to rejoin the PawSox on Thursday and could possibly be activated by Boston next weekend.
“I’m getting to the point where playing nine innings is easy,” said Lowrie.
***
The final game before the All-Star break certainly wasn’t lacking in theatrics. Pawtucket trailed Syracuse by three runs heading into the bottom of the ninth before Freddy Guzman launched a towering two-run home run, his first of the year.
The rally came up short, leaving the PawSox below .500 (43-44) and in fourth place in the North Division heading into the hiatus.  Sunday’s result was Pawtucket’s eighth loss in the last 10 tries.
“To see the fight come back a little bit. … Angel [Chavez] hits the double and then Freddy [hits a home run] -- the last two nights we've been able to create a little bit of excitement,” Johnson said. “We haven't won, but it is something that we haven't done for a while, at least as far as getting back into games like that. So I'm hoping that will kind of carry over after the break.”
A bright spot continues to be Pawtucket’s bullpen. Sunday saw three relievers – Marcus McBeth, Javier Lopez and All-Star closer Fernando Cabrera – combine for 3 2/3 innings of scoreless ball.
***
Pawtucket promoted right-handed pitcher T.J. Large from Portland on Sunday and placed Randor Bierd on the temporary inactive list. Large, 26, has served as the Sea Dogs’ closer this season, going 3-0 with a 1.08 ERA and eight saves in 34 appearances
***
Syracuse    020 012 000 --- 5-11-0
Pawtucket    100 100 002 – 4-8-1
Balester (W, 7-8), Sosa (6), Segovia (8), Kensing (9) and Solano. Buchholz, McBeth (6), Lopez (8), Cabrera (9) and Wagner. 2B: Castro, Lowrie, Wagner, Chavez. 3B: Morse. HR: Guzman.