BOSTON — There are memorable days in every athlete’s career, but few are as confusing as the one Kason Gabbard lived through yesterday.

In no particular order, the young pitcher was excited, nervous, satisfied for a job well done and, finally, disappointed about being demoted.

It will be a while before Gabbard lets everyone know exactly how he felt about everything. Minutes after recording the victory as the Red Sox beat Atlanta, 6-3, at Fenway, the lefty was told he was being sent back to Pawtucket.

“He said he does not want to talk,” Red Sox public relations director John Blake said as reporters waited to speak with Gabbard in the Sox clubhouse.

Everyone else on the team packed up and headed for an 8:25 bus. Gabbard’s clothes were still in his locker. But he declined to come out until the locker room was closed.

“It was not an easy day for him,” Sox manager Terry Francona said.

Gabbard was recalled from the PawSox because Boston was out of starting pitchers.

After needing only five starters through the first six weeks, the Sox found themselves needing help because of an injury to Josh Beckett’s finger. When rain further complicated problems, the team needed to fill two holes for the weekend series with Atlanta.

Devern Hansack filled the first, without success. The Sox were belted, 14-0, Saturday night. Hansack was sent back to Pawtucket after the game to make room on the roster for Gabbard to fill the second hole. The Sox said they told Hansack even before he took the mound that he would be with the team for only the one day. They did not say the same thing to Gabbard, Francona said, although Francona felt they had made efforts to prepare him for such a possibility.

In any event, Gabbard had to wait longer than anticipated to get his chance. Rain delayed the start of the game for 2:30.

“He stayed ready,” Francona said. “It’s not an easy thing for anybody to do.”

Going against Tim Hudson, one of the hottest pitchers in the majors, he more than held his own. He did not allow a hit through the first 3 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old from Florida, who had made seven appearances with Boston last season, is 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds but does not throw overly hard. His breaking ball and speed changes are his strengths.

“Early on, he showed pretty good control to be able to pitch backwards with his breaking ball,” said catcher Jason Varitek, speaking about how the breaking stuff was the key.

“Once we were able to do that, he was able to dot his fastball and get a little sink on it, get some swings, get some ground balls and mix in his change. After he got settled in, he was able to throw strike one with a couple different pitches,” Varitek said.

Gabbard threw 100 pitches, 61 for strikes. He had a shutout for five innings. When the first two hitters in the sixth singled, he was removed and those runners later scored. By that time, the Sox had a 6-0 lead.

“He was awesome changing speeds, using his fastball on both sides of the plate,” said Alex Cora, the shortstop for the day. “He looked like a veteran.”

The delay in the start of the game might have helped him, Atlanta manager Bobby Cox said.

“He was tough to see,” Cox said. “The tarp (on the seats in the bleachers for the afternoon game) is all on the other side, for right-handers. You really couldn’t see him until it got darker. But I liked him. He changed speeds really good, had a good hook, and as usual, Varitek always does a great job with any young pitcher.”

Gabbard, whose high in strikeouts in his brief time with Boston last season was six, struck out seven.

The performance continued an excellent run for the lefty. Gabbard was 3-1 in eight starts for the PawSox, 1-0 with a 1.61 ERA in his last four outings. He was holding International League batters to a .224 average, fourth best in the league. Gabbard had been impressive in spring training, too, compiling a 2.70 ERA in four starts before being sent to Pawtucket.

There is every indication that he’ll get more chances in the majors. For now, though, while the Red Sox head to New York, Gabbard will be back with Pawtucket.

pkenyon@projo.com