By Josh Maurer & Will Flemming

If such an award existed, Mauro Gomez would have a strong case for PawSox mid-season MVP. Among International League batters, he ranks second in average (.311), is tied for third in homers (19), is third in RBI (55), leads in extra-base hits (46), is tied for first in doubles (26), and is second in total bases (172).

Yesterday afternoon the first-year Red Sox farmhand received the good news that he had been called up to Boston for the second time this year. Not only is he now with the Red Sox, tonight in Oakland he will make his first Big League start, playing third base.

Yes, third base.

Gomez made his Major League debut on May 13 of this year at Fenway Park against Cleveland. Overall, he appeared in two games finishing 0-for-2. (Kelly O’Connor)

A position he hasn’t played since 2009 when he was a member of the Rangers’ High-A Bakersfield club, Gomez gets the start because of soreness in Dustin Pedroia’s right thumb. With Pedroia out of the lineup tonight, and Will Middlebrooks struggling with a hamstring injury, Nick Punto will start at second base, Gomez at third.

Once he finds someone’s glove to borrow, this should be a July 4th worth remembering for Gomez.

-AG

@aaronmgoldsmith

agoldsmith@pawsox.com