ANAHEIM — To say that Brandon Moss’ first day in the big leagues didn’t go exactly as planned would be a giant understatement.

When Moss reported to Angel Stadium on Monday afternoon, it was with the expectation that he would spend three days on the bench as a temporary replacement for Eric Hinske, who was placed on the bereavement list.

Hours later, however, Moss found himself hitting cleanup in his major-league debut and more involved in the Red Sox’ 4-2 defeat than he would have anticipated — or preferred.

Moss found himself inserted into the game in the middle of the fourth inning after left fielder Manny Ramirez was ejected by home plate umpire James Hoye for disputing a third strike.

“I think the circumstances could have been advantageous,” manager Terry Francona said yesterday, “being thrown into the game instead of thinking about it for four hours.”

“(Francona) told me to go in,” recounted Moss. “I was like, ‘OK, here we go.’ I was excited. It was a chance to get to play.”

It was, in all likelihood, more than Moss had bargained for. If he was hoping that his debut would be ordinary and unnoticed, that hope was misplaced.

“I don’t think there’s any way to make your debut with the Boston Red Sox behind the scenes,” said Curt Schilling.

“I think,” said Francona, “he was justifiably a little nervous.”

In his first half-inning, Gary Matthews Jr. hit a line drive to left that Moss fielded. Garret Anderson, on first following a fielder’s choice, headed for third and Moss, unwisely, threw there. That allowed Anderson to hustle into second, giving the Angels two runners in scoring position.

“I came up throwing to third,” said Moss a bit sheepishly. “I got too excited.”

When Moss returned to the dugout, third-base coach Demarlo Hale pointed out the rookie’s slip-up.

“Our job,” said Francona, “is to point out those things without making it seem like we’re piling on.”

Next, Moss had a good at-bat against Jered Weaver before sending a drive to the warning track in right that was caught by Vladimir Guerrero.

Meanwhile, in the field, he later found himself again at the center of attention. In the pivotal seventh, when the Angels snapped a 2-2 tie with two runs off Schilling, Moss lost a line drive in the lights off the bat of Chone Figgins.

The ball managed to hit his glove, then popped out quickly as Moss juggled it and attempted to grab it for good. While he fumbled, slow-footed catcher Jeff Mathis broke from third base and scored the second run of the inning.

“It was a little frustrating,” said Moss, “because if I catch it (and hold on initially), I have a good chance of throwing him out at home.”

The Sox, believing that Mathis had left the base too soon, appealed at third, but had the appeal rejected. Out in left, Moss knew that the appeal would be futile.

“I was pretty sure once the ball hits the glove,” said Moss, “(the baserunner) has the right to run.”

Moss was correct. Still, his inauspicious debut wasn’t over.

The Sox rallied in the ninth against Angels flamethrowing reliever Francisco Rodriguez, thanks to an error by Orlando Cabrera and a walk to David Ortiz.

Dustin Pedroia and Ortiz represented the potential tying runs, but instead of having Ramirez come to the plate, the Sox had Moss.

“I wasn’t thinking too much about who was on the mound,” said Moss. “I was just thinking about trying to get a hit.”

Not surprisingly for someone with two major-league at-bats to his credit, Rodriguez proved too much and Moss went down swinging for the game’s final out, stranding two teammates in the process.

“I think,” concluded Francona. “there were some nerves. If we don’t understand that, we’re not being fair.”

For Moss, perhaps the best thing about his debut was the understanding that it was behind him.

smcadam@projo.com