DETROIT, Mich. - Just one day after being promoted to the Detroit Tigers, former Towson University All-American outfielder Casper Wells made his major league debut on Saturday night when he was the starting leftfielder for the Detroit in their game against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park.

Although he didn't get his first major league base hit, he contributed to Detroit's 7-6, 12-inning victory over the Red Sox with his defense. In the top of the fourth inning, he recorded the first outfield assist of his major league career.

With two outs and two runners on base, designated hitter David Ortiz of Boston lined a single to left field. After Marco Scutaro scored from third base, Wells fired to home plate in time to cut down Dustin Pedroia, who was trying to score from second base. Wells' throw to catcher Gerald Laird arrived in time to retire the speedy Pedroia.

It turned out to be an even bigger play when Detroit rallied to tie the game and send it into extra innings. Detroit beat Boston on a bases-loaded walk to in the bottom of the 12th inning.

Facing veteran pitcher Jon Lester, Wells was hitless in four at bats. In the first inning, he grounded out to shortstop. In the third inning, he was retired on a ground ball to third. Lester struck him out in the fifth inning and slipped a called third strike past him in the seventh. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Johnny Damon was used as a pinch hitter for Wells.

When he played in his first major league game, Wells became the third former Towson baseball player to play in the major leagues, joining Al Rubeling (1940-44) and Chris Nabholz (1990-95).