WASHINGTON -- Following Boston's 6-4 victory over the Washington Nationals Wednesday night, Red Sox catching prospect Dusty Brown was packing his bags for his trip back to Pawtucket.

He was called up last Sunday after the club placed pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka on the disabled list, and Brown made his major-league debut in the bottom of the ninth inning on Tuesday. With pitcher John Smoltz set to be activated on Thursday, Brown was sent back to the minors.

It's a move he knew was coming. And even though his first stay in the majors was only four days, it was a great experience.

"Awesome," he said. "It was everything I expected it to be. It was great and it couldn't have come at a better time."

Brown was struggling with the PawSox when he got the call to the big leagues. Now that he's had the taste, he knows what he needs to do and he wants to be back here sooner rather than later.

"It was awesome and everyone was great to me," he said. "You get a taste of it now. When I go back I know what I'm playing for and where I want to be."

jmcdonal@projo.com