When Cam Devanney smacked a slider for a single to left field in the second inning Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers, it felt like a hit that took him lifetime to accomplish.

And it actually was for Devanney, a 28-year-old rookie for the Pittsburgh Pirates who recorded his first hit in the eighth at-bat and third game of his major league career.

“Just incredible,” Devanney said. “Three days in the big leagues to go without a hit is a really long time. Just getting it out of the way is really awesome.”

Devanney likened it more to a sigh of relief, given how much his head is still spinning. The 2019 15th-round draft pick finally got his first knock almost two months after being activated to Kansas City’s active roster July 8. He never appeared in a game for the Royals, however, and was dealt to the Pirates on July 16 in the Adam Frazier trade.

After playing 34 games at Triple-A Indianapolis, Devanney was recalled to the Pirates on Saturday, made his major league debut Sunday against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park and his PNC Park debut against Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers on Tuesday.

“Just a marathon,” Devanney said. “It’s been surreal. Everything I could have hoped for, honestly. It’s been a crazy three days. I don’t even have words for it.”

The Pirates had taken a 2-0 lead on solo home runs by Bryan Reynolds with two outs in the first inning and Andrew McCutchen to lead off the second. With two outs, Devanney followed a Joey Bart single by taking a called strike on a first-pitch slider, then a ball on a fastball above the strike zone. When Dodgers righty Emmet Sheehan threw a slider away, Devanney connected at a 78.8-mph exit velocity and sent it 234 feet to left.

“That was awesome,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “He took some really good swings in Boston. Felt like he got sped up maybe a little bit (Tuesday) at home. Was able to slow it down today.”

Devanney admitted as much.

“It’s just reinforcing in your brain just slowing things down, nice and easy, taking it one pitch at a time and backing the ball up,” Devanney said. “That’s key for me.”

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Not that his first MLB hit didn’t come with some controversy. Where the Pirates wanted the ball for a souvenir, Sheehan told reporters that he liked the ball he was throwing with so he tried to keep it. Sheehan appeared to pull a switcheroo, throwing the new ball back toward the dugout and keeping the one Devanney hit in his glove.

“I had no idea that was his first hit,” Sheehan said. “So, I’m going to try and find Cam tomorrow and apologize and figure out a way to make it up to him. But, yeah, it was completely unintentional.”

Devanney was unaware of what happened — which was shown on the SportsNet Pittsburgh telecast — and only found out after the game. Devanney said he believes he got the right ball in the end.

“I’m not entirely sure what happened,” Devanney said. “I just found out moments ago. I think I did get the right one.”

It was a moment Devanney wasn’t sure would ever happen. He was enjoying a strong season at Triple-A Omaha for the Royals, batting .272/.366/.565 with 14 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs and 55 RBIs, but his path to the majors was blocked by a pair of Royals All-Stars in shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and third baseman Maikel Garcia.

The Pirates had a need on the left side of the infield after trading 2023 NL Gold Glove third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes and placing 2020 AL Gold Glove winner Isiah Kiner-Falefa on outright waivers.

“I loved watching the way Bobby worked and Maikel too, but it’s a bummer when you know they’re always going to be there,” Devanney said. “Those guys are just studs. Knowing there is an opportunity here is certainly great.”

The transition from the Royals to the Pirates has been a lot to absorb, especially given that Devanney is playing a new position. After spending most of his career at shortstop — where 2024 NL Gold Glove utility winner Jared Triolo is playing — Devanney is adapting to third base. Just like at the plate, he’s learning to slow the game down.

“It’s definitely challenging and a little daunting, just meeting so many new guys at once. That can be tricky. Just getting to know the vibe in the clubhouse, I’m still in that process,” Devanney said. “These guys have been great. A super welcoming group. DK’s been great, making me feel comfortable and feel like I belong here.”

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