Reds’ Lyon Richardson enters record books with 1st 2 career pitches

Associated Press | Sunday, August 6, 2023 4:21 p.m.

The Reds’ Lyon Richardson (left) talks with Tyler Stephenson during the first inning Sunday against the Nationals.

CINCINNTI — Washington’s CJ Abrams and Lane Thomas hit Lyon Richardson’s first two major-league pitches for home runs in the game against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.

Over the last 50 seasons, the right-handed Richardson, 23, is the only pitcher to allow a home run on each of the first two pitches of his major-league career, according to Optastats.

Abrams and Thomas teamed up to hit fastballs. Abrams reached the first section of seats down the right-field line with a 402-foot shot for his first career leadoff homer. Thomas followed with a 408-foot drive to center field for his third homer of the series.

Richardson went 3-0 on Joey Meneses, the next batter, before throwing a strike that sparked a sarcastic cheer from the crowd.

He rebounded from the rocky start to add two hitless innings, finishing with four hits and four runs with three walks and two strikeouts.