Washington Nationals rookie Tom Milone homered on the first pitch he faced in the majors, 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 Saturday night.
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 is the eighth pitcher to homer on the first pitch he saw in the majors. The last to do it was Adam Wainwright for St. Louis on May 24, 2006.
IT’S GETTING MESSY FOR MARLINS
Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez is expected to undergo season-ending surgery on his left shoulder
Team doctor Lee Kaplan recommended surgery to correct instability in Ramirez’s shoulder. The day for the operation has not been set.
Ramirez has been out since Aug. 2 and had a setback while playing for Class A Jupiter during a rehab stint. He had an MRI earlier this week.
The .306 career hitter had a down season, batting just .243 with 10 homers and 45 RBI.
The Marlins say they expect Ramirez will be ready for opening day next season, when the team opens a new ballpark in Miami.
But the bad news didn’t stop there.
Right fielder Mike Stanton left the Marlins’ game Saturday night against the Phillies because of right hamstring tightness.
Stanton was taken out after he grounded out to second to end the fifth inning. The slugger ran over first base hard, then tumbled to the ground. He was stretched out on the field for a moment before walking to the dugout.
Stanton, who is listed as day to day, had hit his 32nd homer in the second inning.
SHORT HOPS
Blue Jays left fielder Eric Thames left the game against the Yankees because of dizziness after striking out looking in the first inning. … Infielder Omar Quintanilla has been granted free agency by the Rangers after he declined an outright assignment to Triple-A Round Rock. … The White Sox activated right-hander Philip Humber from the disabled list and plan to start him in the first game of Monday’s doubleheader at Minnesota. He hasn’t pitched since Aug. 18, when he was hit above the right eye by a line drive off the bat of Cleveland’s Kosuke Fukudome.
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