Last night the Washington Nationals traveled to Atlanta to face the 2021 World Series Champions the Atlanta Braves after avoiding a sweep by the New York Mets Opening Weekend the Nationals were searching for some offense and did they find it.

Making the start, RHP Josh Rogers who was called up from Triple-A Rochester delivered the Washington Nationals’ longest outing of the season going: 5 1/3 innings, only allowing one run on two hits and two walks with three strikeouts over 74 pitches (46 strikes). After allowing an RBI single to Marcell Ozuna in the first inning, he retired the next 10 batters, including three consecutive 1-2-3 frames. The Nationals bullpen took over the rest and closed out the game.

Final Line for Rogers:  5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 Ks, 74 P, 46 S, 4/5 GO/FO.

The Nationals bats finally awoke for the first time this season and really the first time since last August. The Nationals had a five-run third inning in the Nats’ highest-scoring game since Aug. 17, 2021.

The current third baseman who is looking for a bounce-back year Maikel Franco went 4-for-5 with five RBIs and his first homer of the year. Nationals outfielder Lane Thomas also contributed to the win with a trio of RBIs.

Post Game Quotes

"It was awesome... We struggled a little bit the first few games. We got a big win [against the Mets] the other day, and then to come here and play these guys -- who are very good -- to jump out like we did and score as many runs as we did was a good day. A good first game of a series." - Dave Martinez discussing the feeling of beating the Braves after a hard weekend in D.C.

“He was awesome... And like I said, he came up here last year and threw strikes. The key with him is attacking the strike zone early, and when he gets ahead he keeps fighting and he keeps getting outs, but his attitude, his attitude out there, man, he’s just pumped up, so it’s fun to watch him pitch. But he did a great job today.” Dave Martinez told reporters in Atlanta about Josh Rogers's performance against the Atlanta Braves

"I think I would be lying if I said I wasn’t mad or down... I’m competitive and wanted to make the team, just like everybody else. It is what it is – just take it and go to Triple-A and just do what I do and have a good attitude and turn the page. I was mad for 12 hours, wake up the next day and it’s all about the process and it’s part of it. Obviously, [I was] super pumped to get back up here and to be able to get the ball tonight and throw it.” - Josh Rogers on his performance against the Atlanta Braves