It took two at-bats for Rusney Castillo to collect his first major league hit.
Castillo, who hit a dribbler in front of home plate in his first at-bat Wednesday, singled to second base in the fourth inning of the Boston Red Sox’s game against Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Pirates second baseman Neil Walker couldn’t corral the sharp grounder on a diving attempt.
Castillo signed a seven-year, $72.5 million contract with the Red Sox last month. He played in 11 minor league games — five with Triple-A Pawtucket, four with Double-A Portland and two with the Rookie level Gulf Coast League Red Sox — before making his major league debut Wednesday. The Cuban outfielder played center field and batted seventh in his first game with Boston.
Bryce Brentz, who was drafted by the Red Sox in 2010, also made his major league debut Wednesday. He pinch-hit for pitcher Clay Buchholz in the fifth inning and doubled in his first big league at-bat. Brentz also scored Boston’s first run of the series.