Apple Inc. hit a virtual home run with the release of its latest iPhone on Tuesday in spite of a temporary game delay.

Reuters reported that Apple shares rose nearly 3 percent on Wednesday, following the company’s announcement that it had pre-sold more than 600,000 iPhone 4s, a record for a single day of pre-orders.

The new device is on track to surpass sales of the company’s previous iPhone models, as well as the iPad.

But exuberant demand for the new device overloaded Apple’s website, drawing an apology from the company for having to temporarily halt sales as supplies ran out.

AT&T Inc., the smart phone’s exclusive U.S. carrier, said it had stopped taking pre-orders and that sales will resume when inventory becomes available.

“It’s easy to forget how early we are in the adoption of this device,” said Colin Gillis, an analyst with New York-based BGC Partners Inc., noting many had underestimated the scope of the iPhone’s market potential. “There’s only 50 million of them out there. 600,000 is still a drop in the bucket.”

Another analyst said sales of the smart phone could reach 10 million per quarter, once Apple can meet demand.

“At some point in the next three to four months, they’ll catch up,” said Kevin Hunt of Hapoalim Securities. “That’s when they’ll start hitting the 10 million-per-quarter mark.”

On Wednesday afternoon, Apple’s website said that products ordered then would be shipped by July 14, which is three weeks after the iPhone 4’s scheduled June 24 launch in stores.

“We apologize to everyone who encountered difficulties,” Apple said in a statement, adding that it hopes customers will try again when it restocks.