Yohandy Morales Shines in MLB Debut as Nationals Beat Braves 9-5

WASHINGTON — Yohandy Morales could not have scripted a much better introduction to the major leagues.

Morales homered and collected three hits in his MLB debut Tuesday night as the Washington Nationals defeated the Atlanta Braves 9-5 at Nationals Park.

Fellow September call-up Jared Simpson also made his major-league debut and delivered three perfect innings out of the bullpen to earn his first MLB victory.

The Nationals improved to 67-74 with the victory and have now won five of their last six games. Washington collected 12 hits and scored in five different innings against the National League East-leading Braves.

For a Nationals organization continuing to evaluate young players who could become part of its future, Tuesday offered plenty to like.

Braves Strike First, Nationals Answer Quickly

Atlanta opened the scoring against Washington starter Jake Irvin in the second inning when Ozzie Albies launched a 409-foot solo home run to center field.

The lead did not last long.

Washington responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning.

Harry Ford walked and Jorbit Vivas doubled to help set up the rally. With two outs, CJ Abrams delivered a two-run single to center field that scored Ford and Vivas and gave Washington a 2-1 lead.

Brady House immediately followed with a two-run double to right field, scoring Dylan Crews and Abrams.

Just like that, Washington had turned a one-run deficit into a 4-1 advantage.

It was an especially encouraging performance from Abrams, who returned to the lineup after being scratched Monday because of back soreness. Abrams finished with two hits and two RBIs.

Welcome to the Majors, Yohandy Morales

Atlanta cut Washington’s advantage to 4-2 in the third when Drake Baldwin doubled home Brewer Hicklen.

Then came the moment of the night.

Morales stepped to the plate to lead off the bottom of the third and drove an 0-1 pitch 407 feet over the left-center-field wall.

His first major-league hit was his first major-league home run.

The blast restored Washington’s three-run advantage at 5-2 and gave Nationals fans an immediate glimpse of the power Morales displayed throughout the minor leagues.

The 24-year-old had hit 25 home runs for Triple-A Rochester this season before receiving his September promotion.

Morales was far from finished.

He later doubled to open the seventh inning and singled in the eighth, finishing his first MLB game 3-for-5 and only a triple away from hitting for the cycle.

That is about as memorable as a major-league debut gets.

Jared Simpson Delivers Another Impressive Debut

Morales was not Washington’s only newcomer making an immediate impact.

Irvin worked into the fifth inning but departed after Atlanta put runners on first and second with nobody out.

Washington turned to Simpson.

The 26-year-old left-hander could not have handled the situation much better.

Simpson immediately induced a double play and then recorded a flyout to escape the inning without allowing Atlanta to score.

He stayed in the game and retired every hitter he faced.

Simpson completed three perfect innings, allowing no hits or walks while striking out three. Because he entered before Irvin completed five innings, Simpson was credited with his first major-league victory.

Simpson had posted a 2.30 ERA over 58 2/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A before Washington called him up.

For a Nationals bullpen that has needed young arms to emerge, Simpson’s first appearance was extremely encouraging.

Nationals Keep Adding On

Washington did not simply protect its early lead.

The Nationals continued building it.

House brought home Jacob Young with a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning, giving House his third RBI of the game and extending Washington’s lead to 6-2.

Morales then opened the seventh with a double.

Washington eventually capitalized on an Atlanta mistake when Braves reliever Brent Suter made an errant pickoff throw, allowing Morales to score.

Young followed with an RBI single to center, pushing the lead to 8-2.

The Nationals had scored eight runs through seven innings against a Braves team sitting atop the NL East.

Braves Make Things Interesting

Atlanta finally mounted a significant response in the eighth.

Ronald Acuña Jr. scored on a wild pitch before Michael Harris II hit a two-run homer to left-center field.

The three-run inning suddenly cut Washington’s advantage to 8-5.

But the Nationals answered again.

Daylen Lile walked in the bottom of the eighth before Morales collected his third hit of the night. Andrés Chaparro followed with a two-out RBI single that scored Lile and restored a four-run cushion.

Washington finished the night with nine runs on 12 hits.

Atlanta had five runs on eight hits.

Young Nationals Continue to Show Progress

The final score matters, but the players responsible for producing it are even more significant for Washington.

Morales is 24.

Simpson is 26.

House is 23.

Abrams is 25.

Crews is 24.

Lile is 23.

Ford is 23.

Washington’s lineup Tuesday was filled with players who could potentially be part of the next competitive Nationals team.

That does not guarantee anything, but games like Tuesday provide tangible evidence that Washington has young talent worth evaluating over the final month.

Morales is especially intriguing.

Washington selected him in the second round of the 2023 MLB Draft, and his power production at Rochester earned him his first opportunity in the majors.

One game does not establish a major-league career.

But homering, doubling and singling in your debut is certainly one way to make sure everyone remembers your first night.

MSB Take

This is exactly what September should be about for the Nationals.

Washington is not realistically chasing Atlanta for the NL East, so the most important question over the final weeks is which young players can become meaningful pieces of the next good Nationals team.

Tuesday night provided two very encouraging answers.

Morales looked like he belonged immediately. The home run will receive most of the attention, and understandably so, but going 3-for-5 and finishing a triple short of the cycle showed considerably more than one big swing.

Then there was Simpson.

Entering your first major-league game with two runners aboard and nobody out against the first-place Braves is not exactly an easy introduction. Simpson responded by escaping the inning and retiring all eight batters he faced while recording nine outs.

That is impressive.

There was also plenty to like elsewhere. Abrams returned to the lineup and immediately produced. House drove in three runs. Young contributed offensively. Washington scored nine runs against a legitimate contender and did not commit an error.

The Nationals still have work ahead of them before they can seriously contend in the NL East, but the organization needs young players to force their way into the conversation.

Morales and Simpson certainly did that Tuesday.

One September game cannot tell Washington what either player will eventually become.

It can, however, give Nationals fans another reason to watch.

And right now, watching the organization’s next generation begin to emerge is what matters most.

Up Next

Washington and Atlanta continue their series Wednesday at Nationals Park.

Left-hander Jackson Kent is scheduled to start for Washington. Kent enters at 1-2 with a 5.59 ERA.

Atlanta is scheduled to counter with right-hander Grant Holmes, who enters the matchup 9-5 with a 3.71 ERA.

After watching two rookies steal the spotlight Tuesday, the Nationals will look to keep their recent momentum going and secure another series win against the NL East leaders.