WASHINGTON (AP) - Nationals rookie Tom Milone homered on the first pitch he faced in the majors Saturday night, becoming the eighth big league pitcher to accomplish the feat.
Milone, called up from Triple-A Syracuse before the game, connected for a three-run shot off New York Mets right-hander Dillon Gee in the second inning.
Excited new teammates in the Washington bullpen jumped up and down as the ball sailed over their heads behind the right-field fence. The stunning shot gave the Nationals a 5-0 lead.
According to STATS LLC and the SABR Home Run Log, Milone became the 18th pitcher to homer in his first career at-bat and the eighth to do it on the first pitch. St. Louis right-hander Adam Wainwright was the last pitcher to do it on May 24, 2006.
Milone was removed from the game in the fifth inning with a 5-4 lead.
With runners on second and third and one out in the second, the left-handed hitting pitcher was beckoned by third base coach Bo Porter. After talking with Porter, and with the infield in, Milone swung on the first pitch from Gee and sent the ball into the Nationals’ bullpen in right field.
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