Rusney Castillo went 1-for-4 in his debut with Triple-A Pawtucket.
Castillo collected an infield single, struck out twice, lined out to right field and was caught stealing Tuesday as the PawSox defeated the Durham Bulls 3-2 in Game 1 of the Governors’ Cup finals.
Castillo, who recently signed a seven-year, $72.5 million contract with the Boston Red Sox, made stops in the Gulf Coast League and Double-A Portland before joining Pawtucket. The 27-year-old outfielder is expected to join the major league club at some point before the end of the season.
Castillo still is shaking off the rust in his first game action since defecting from Cuba. He’s now 7-for-23 with two doubles, two walks, four strikeouts and three RBIs in seven games across three levels. Castillo played nine innings in center field for the first time Tuesday.
Castillo struck out in each of his first two at-bats against the Bulls — once looking at a 96 mph fastball and once swinging at a 96 mph heater — before collecting an infield single off a deflection in his third at-bat. Castillo, who is known for his speed, wasn’t on the bases long, though, as he was thrown out trying to swipe second with Ivan De Jesus batting.
The PawSox will continue their best-of-five championship series against the Bulls on Wednesday. The series will end Saturday at the latest, with an International League championship game set for early next week.
Castillo is likely to remain with Pawtucket through the end of the club’s season before joining Boston on its upcoming road trip.
Photo via Twitter/@LasMayores
