INDIANAPOLIS -- Nomar Garciaparra's first hit in more than a year helped spark the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox to a 6-3 victory Wednesday over the Indianapolis Indians in an International League game.

Garciaparra, Boston's three-time All Star shortstop, hit a line drive to left field in his second at-bat to drive in two runs, and took second base when the cutoff man was overthrown. His two RBI capped a four-run second inning for Pawtucket

Garciaparra later singled on a hard grounder between the shortstop and third baseman and went 2-for-5 with two strikeouts.

He was the designated hitter in the second game of his rehabilitation assignment with the Triple-A team.

Garciaparra returned from wrist surgery Tuesday and went 0-for-3 Pawtucket, his first game since last September. He said he experienced nothing but some soreness during Pawtucket's 11-8 win over the Indianapolis Indians.

"It's what I expected. I assumed everything was going to feel all right and it did, so that was good," he said. "We'll see how it feels tomorrow. That's going to be the bigger question than it is today."

Garciaparra, hit by a pitch above the hip in the first inning, has been sidelined since surgery on his right wrist on Opening Day.

Garciaparra is to play at least two more International League games with the PawSox in Indianapolis, then be re-evaluated by Red Sox team physician Dr. Bill Morgan.

"The only way to recover from the surgery, or any injury, is to go step by step and do a little bit more," he said. "Hopefully, I've done enough where now it's time to go in there and get some innings under my belt and go out there and play a game."

Garciaparra hadn't played since last Sept. 29 against Tampa Bay. Garciaparra could be activated from the disabled list as early as this weekend, when Boston is at home against the Chicago White Sox.

Garciaparra is the two-time defending AL batting champion who hit .372 with 21 homers and 96 RBI last year.

"I definitely have some adjustments I have to make," he said. "I was making some throughout the game. That's just a matter of getting some work in."

The three-time All Star, who turned 28 Monday, said there is nothing wrong with his right hamstring, which was reported as being injured during a workout Saturday at Comiskey Park.

"I don't know where that came from," he said.