No more for Garo:
Joey Gallo started the season hitless in 12 at-bats, but the slugger made a splash in the nation’s capital Wednesday night, hitting a 447-foot home run to right for his first hit, his first of the year. I hit a home run. He started a four-point rally in center field in the second home half.
Luis Garcia Jr. added another run with a double, and after Nationals starter Trevor Williams gave up two runs in the top of the box, CJ Abrams scored two more and the home team held on to beat the visiting team. Ta. pittsburgh pirates 5-3 in 2nd of 3 games for DC.
“Thank God,” Gallo joked. Quoted by Mark Zuckerman of MASNafter the game, he also hit a double and added a single to a three-hit night.
“I did something good. I feel like I was able to contribute a little bit to the team.”
“He held the ball well today,” Davey Martinez said after the even game against the Bucks.
“He wasn’t really trying to do too much. He was just trying to get on top of the baseball and drive the ball into the middle of the field.
“He had a really good day.”
How did Gallo feel in the dugout after hitting his first home run?
“He’s the same as always,” Martinez said with a modest high-five, “…and that’s it.”
However, his teammates were excited to see Gallo join the board in 2024.
“I’m glad today was a breakout day for him. We need him, so let’s keep him there for a while,” the captain said. “And I know he’s a very good guy, works hard and is a great teammate. So today was a good day for him and he cheered everyone up. Today with that home run everyone really got excited. I recovered.”
Williams’ W:
Trevor Williams posted a 7.20 ERA with 24 hits in four appearances and 15 innings this spring.3 of them are home runs), had 12 earned runs, and an opponent batting average of .348.
His numbers weren’t great, but after making his last start in the Grapefruit League, the veteran said he felt like he accomplished what he wanted to accomplish in spring training as he competed for the No. 5 spot in the Nationals’ starting rotation. Told.
“Even though I’ve been here for 10 years, I feel like I’m always competing for position,” he said. Quoted by MASN writer Mark Zuckermanfollowing the last spring start on March 21st.
“I think there’s always competition for your position. There were some things we wanted to work on and improve this offseason. I think we were able to do that.”
Williams started 30 total games in 2023, posting a 5.55 ERA, 5.99 FIP, 53 walks (3.30 BB/9), and 111 Ks (6.92 K/9) in 144 1/3 innings, including They conceded 34 goals at home.Run (2.12 HR/9), posted a line of .300/.359/.533 for the first year of a two-year/$13 million contract with DC.
Coach Davey Martinez decided to reinsert Williams into the Nats’ rotation before the season started, after 31-year-old veteran Zach Davis competed for the final spot.
“It was a difficult choice and a difficult decision,” Martinez said. Quoted by Jessica Camerato of MLB.comafter Williams won the spot, Davis decided to look for other opportunities.
“Trevor did a great job,” he explained. “I think he deserves a chance to start, at least initially. And let’s see where it goes from there.”
Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images
Due to an off schedule in the first half, Williams hadn’t pitched since March 21st before pitching last night against the Pirates, but he was in the bullpen to stay as sharp as possible for his regular season debut. I worked on practicing.
“He’s been throwing. He’s been throwing with a pretty heavy bullpen, so he’ll be ready to go,” Martinez said.
Williams’ first start was 5 1⁄3That night, in one inning, he walked two, struck out five, allowed three hits and two earned runs, and threw 91 pitches, with 53 strikes, including 10 swings and 15 called strikes.
“Trevor pitched really well. He gave us over five innings, which was what we needed today,” Martinez said after the 5-3 win.
“That’s what we want from him. He knows that for him, for me, 80-85-90 pitches are perfect for him,” the manager added at another point. “If he can do that in five innings, that’s what we’re asking him to do. Get us in the ballgame. And he did that today.
“He used his changeup really well. He understood how to throw a fastball. He held the ball down for the most part, which was great, so if he used it If he can continue, he will help us win games.”
Abrams Power:
CJ Abrams hit a 1-2 curveball low into the right-field seats for a 429-foot bomb home run last Sunday at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, earning him his first RBI of the year.
It also hit over 107 mph (And it was the longest home run of his career to date.).
“He always takes a good swing when he gets the ball in the zone,” Nationals captain Davey Martinez said after the series final loss to the Reds.
“He had a good at-bat there,” the manager added, “…and got the ball in the zone and hit it back, so it was good to see.”
Martinez is pleased with everything he’s seen at shortstop at the beginning of his third season in the Capitals.
How has Abrams changed since coming to the Nationals with the Juan Soto and Josh Bell deals? san diego padres In 2022?
“Growing up, right? Growing up. Mature,” Martinez said. “I mean, he has a plan every time he steps on the field, and I love that.
“Today I watched him work inside the cage. I watched him take flips and ground balls inside the cage. [coach] ricky [Guttierez] . He has a routine. He has grown so much. He bunted the other day and I didn’t give him the bunt. As usual, I told him to “play the game.”He bunts and outruns them and we score, lane. [Thomas] I hit a base hit. Lane said it motivates him. It was the best.
“He’s learning how to play the game. These guys are starting to figure it out. They’re starting to understand what they need to do to be successful.”
