LHP Tom Milone made his MLB debut on Saturday, September 3 and became a superstar by second inning. He earned his first MLB strikeout from Angel Pagan in the top of the second and hit a three-run homer off of the very first pitch he saw in the big leagues! Milone received a standing ovation from the crowd of 34,821 at Nats Park, including some awestruck New York Mets fans.

Milone hit Syracuse teammates Marrero and Flores home in first MLB at bat

St. Louis Cardinals Adam Wainwright was the last pitcher to hit a home run on the first pitch in the Major Leagues on May 24, 2006.

Pretty impressive indeed. Milone would only go 4.1 innings after 74 pitches/51 strikes giving up six hits, four runs and no walks while striking out two. Milone received his second standing ovation when Davey Johnson lifted him from the game.

Tom Milone's First MLB Pitch


The Nationals were up 5-0 after Milone's home run, however, the Mets got on the board in the fourth with a Pagan RBI single and Nick Evan's two-run blast to bring the Nats to only a one run lead.

Roger ("The Shark") Bernadina hit a solo homer in fifth inning, but Jason Bay hit a two-run homer in the sixth to tie the game at six. Ivan ("Pudge") Rodriguez pinch it in the sixth inning and as soon as his name was announced, fans were on their feet. It was the first time Pudge had played for Nats since going on the disable list on July 7. 

Mets took the lead in the seventh with a go ahead run scored by Willie Harris on a Lucas Duda sacrifice bunt.

Washington Nationals fans know better than to leave a ballgame early this season. And for good reason.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Jesus Flores singled to start the offense and Brian Bixler replaced him as pinch runner. Jonny Gomes pinch hit for Burnett and walked. Ian Desmond  successfully advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt. Mets pitcher Bobby Parnell intentionally walks Roger Bernadina to make it a force play situation, however, this lead to bringing up Ryan Zimmerman to the plate with bases loaded.  Mr. Walk-off.

The crowd were on their feet cheering and it was another one of those electrifying moments. Zimmerman's bat broke and the ball dropped in short right field out of the reach of Duda. Bixler and Gomes scored for the 8-7 victory over the Mets.

Ryan Zimmerman's walk-off broken bat single

Duda couldn't get to the Zim single

Fans on their feet as Bixler is about to score to tie game

Jonny Gomes scoring winning run

Nats celebrate with Gomes

Nats attack Ryan Zimmerman at first base after walk-off single

It was a memorable night for everyone in NatsTown.

Notes: Prior to the game, the Nats had their first ever photo day where fans had the opportunity to get photos of or with their favorite players and coaches. Click here to see photos.

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