The Nats Report is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Cincinnati, OH - Trey Lipscomb got called up to the major’s and appeared in his very first Major League game comes as the Washington Nationals got their first win of the 2024 season.

The 23 year old Lipscomb, is coming off a Spring Training in which he led Major League Baseball in batting average (.400) and ranked in the top 10 in on-base percentage (3rd, .455), hits (T5th, 20) and OPS (9th, .995). Lipscomb was sent down to Triple-A Rochester to start the season, which many thought that he earned a spot in the Majors to kick off the season, but due to an injury to Nick Senzel due to a fractured right thumb that he got in pre-game warm ups on Opening Day.

In his first game in the Majors, Lipscomb went 1-4 with a strike out. It didn’t take long for the prospect to register his first hit. In the top of the 3rd, which was his first at bat ever, he hit a single on the  ground to left fielder Spencer Steer, which was deflected by third baseman Jeimer Candelario. He finished the day with a batting average of .250. and an OPS of .500. Once on base, he stole second, with that stolen base Lipscomb became the first player in Nationals history (2005-pres.) to record a base hit and stolen base in his Major League debut. The only other time for this to occur is when Delino DeShields  did it in 1990. Which is the only other player in WSH/MON history to do so.

Rochester Red Wings Manager Matthew LeCroy hopes to prepare and develop a culture of winning for the Nationals prospects

Richard • Mar 29, 2024

One of the primary areas of focus for Matthew LeCroy, the manager of the Nationals' top minor league team, is the development of future Washington Nationals players. He has been entrusted with the responsibility of nurturing prospects like James Wood

Read full story →

Another notable event during the game was a  Keibert Ruiz getting his first homerun of the 2024 season so early, which came in the top of the eight to help the Nationals win the game. Ruiz homerun traveled 397ft to right field and had a lunch angle of 37 degrees and came off the bat at 106.8 mph (for those keeping track, or interested in these details.)  Ruiz's first homerun of the season was against RHP Lucas Sims.

Helping push the Nationals over the Reds was RBIs from Joey Meneses (1)  Eddie Rosario (3); Keibert Ruiz (3); and Jesse Winker (1). The Nationals went 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left baserunners during the game.Also, getting his first start of the 2024 season was LHP Patrick Corbin. Corbin pitched a total of 4.1 innings and gave up four runs on seven hits. Corbin did strike out 2, walked one and also gave up two homeruns.

Getting the save for the Nationals was Kyle Finnegan, and fitting that Trey Lipscomb recorded the final out for the Nationals in the bottom of the 9th to secure the win on a play that ended up being very close.

All in all, it was a good day for the Nationals. Tomorrow, the Nationals will look for the series win as they finish up the series in Cincinnati before heading home for their own Opening Day. They will be sending RHP Jake Irvin to the mound to make that happen. [We will have more on Jake in tomorrow’s Game Notes.]

The Nats Report is a reader-supported independent project that offers free and paid subscriptions. The Nats Report is not affiliated with the Washington Nationals.

Those who opt for the paid edition are providing vital assistance to bolster our independent coverage of the Washington Nationals and Major League Baseball.