Red Sox rookie Dustin Pedroia is tagged out by Royals second baseman Mark Grudzielanek as Pedroia tries to stretch a single in the second inning of yesterday’s season-opener.

AP / Ed Zurga

KANSAS CITY — Hideki Okajima’s debut was one for the record books — just not in the way he would have liked.

Making his first appearance in the major leagues, Okajima became just the 62nd pitcher to allow a home run to the first batter he faced — John Buck. Worse, for Okajima, it came on the first pitch.

“I was surprised,” Okajima, “because I thought the batter would look at the first pitch because he didn’t know me. But instead of looking, he hit it.”

Okajima entered the game in the bottom of the sixth. After the homer to Buck, he settled down and retired the next three hitters in order.

Sent back out for the seventh, he struck out Mark Teahan before allowing a single to left to Mike Sweeney. He then retired rookie Alex Gordon on a groundout to first before giving way to Brendan Donnelly who got the final out of the inning.

“My experience in Japan helped a lot,” said Okajima about settling down. “A home run is a home run. I moved on. I concentrated [after that] and I executed.”

“The first pitch didn’t go as planned,” said manager Terry Francona. “He tried to get ahead and Buck hit it good. After that, he pitched pretty good.”

According to the Baseball Almanac, only six other pitchers in major-league history had surrendered a homer on their first major-league pitch.

“I’m happy to join the [club],” joked Okajima. “It’s just the result that I didn’t want. Next outing, I will be careful. I will pitch better.”

The last Red Sox pitcher to allow a homer to the first big league hitter he faced was Jeff Suppan, who gave up a homer to Keith Lockhart — also of Kansas City — on July 19, 1995 at Fenway.

The only other Sox pitcher to do so was Charlie Mitchell, who gave up a homer to Texas’ Pete O’Brien Aug. 9, 1984 in Texas.

Going to well early

When Curt Schilling was finished after four innings, it gave Francona an opportunity to get some work for his bullpen, albeit earlier than expected.

Five Red Sox pitchers saw action — Javier Lopez, Okajima, Donnelly, Joel Pineiro and J.C. Romero. The other run off the Boston bullpen came in the eighth when Tony Pena Jr. tripled off Pineiro, scoring Ross Gload (single).

“That can take the first-game jitters off,” said Francona.

Of his seven relievers, Kyle Snyder and Jonathan Papelbon were the only ones who didn’t get used.

Coming out swinging

Dustin Pedroia was one of two Red Sox players — Kevin Youkilis was the other — to collect more than one hit.

Pedroia singled to left in his first at-bat in the first inning, but was cut down easily at second trying to stretch the hit into a double.

“His timing was OK, with two outs,” said Francona of his rookie second baseman, “but he was a little too aggressive. But the good news is he’s swinging the bat well.”

After grounding out in the fifth, Pedroia singled in the eighth.

Timlin headed for Pawtucket

Mike Timlin will throw in an extended spring training game in Fort Myers today before joining the Pawtucket Red Sox. Timlin is set to pitch an inning in relief Thursday for the Pawsox, then start for them Saturday. He’s eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday, but the Sox will wait until they get home to activate him.

Around the bases

Today is an off-day for the Sox, and the team will take advantage of it to provide a simulated game for Julian Tavarez. Reserves Alex Cora, Eric Hinske and Wily Mo Pena will hit against Tavarez, who is set to make his first start Saturday in Texas. Doug Mirabelli will catch. ... Julio Lugo had a rough debut, striking out in his first three plate appearances. Lugo was the fifth different starter at short for the Sox in the last five years, following Nomar Garciaparra (2003), Pokey Reese (2004), Edgar Renteria (2005) and Alex Gonzalez (2006). ... Pedroia was the 13th different player to start at second in the last 14 years. Since 1994, only Mark Bellhorn (2004-05) had started two years in a row at the position. ... Pedroia was the first rookie to be in the Opening Day lineup for the Sox since Shea Hillenbrand and the first at second since Donnie Sadler in 1998. … Jason Varitek was the starting catcher for the eighth year in a row. That’s the longest streak for a Red Sox player since Mike Greenwell, who was in nine straight openers (1988-96). ... The sellout crowd of 41,257 was the third-largest Opening Day crowd at Kauffman Stadium.

smcadam@projo.com