CJ Abrams and Lane Thomas homered on the game's first two pitches from the Reds' Lyon Richardson as the Nationals prevailed, 6-3, in Cincinnati.
CINCINNATI — Lyon Richardson’s first pitch Sunday afternoon didn’t come as a surprise. It was the Cincinnati Reds right-hander’s major league debut, after all, so a fastball over the heart of the plate seemed like a given to let him establish himself.But CJ Abrams handed Richardson a rude awakening by launching the middle-cut fastball into the right field seats at Great American Ball Park. He tossed his bat and looked toward his teammates as Richardson tried to ignore what had just taken place.
“Those guys are the catalysts for us,” Manager Dave Martinez said of Abrams and Thomas. “ … They’ve been consistent here so far in getting us going. But overall the team has played really, really well.” Abrams finished 4 for 5 with two runs and two stolen bases. Thomas had two hits and drove in three runs. And they showed how impactful they can be for the Nationals when working in tandem.
“The momentum goes on to the next guy,” Abrams said. “Me and Lane put energy in the dugout, and it showed today.”Martinez shifted Abrams to the leadoff spot in the series before the all-star break, and that move has paid dividends — the Nationals are 15-10 since then. In this stretch, Abrams is 34 for 103 to go with four home runs and 16 stolen bases. He has been more patient at the plate, walking seven times against 16 strikeouts.
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