Nick Martini shines as Reds rout Nationals 8-2 on Opening Day

Photo by: Timothy D. Easley/APCincinnati Reds’s Nick Martini (23) is congratulated by Spencer Steer (7) following his two-run home run during the second inning of an opening day baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Cincinnati, Thursday, March 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

CINCINNATI — Nick Martini said that when he launched his second home run of the afternoon 405 feet into the right-field stands, the Reds’ opening day crowd jolted.

It was the 33-year-old’s first big league opening-day start, and he was batting ninth as the designated hitter. He answered on Thursday, launching a two-run home run in the second inning and a three-run drive in the third, as Cincinnati easily defeated the Washington Nationals 8-2.

Martini, who became the first Reds player to smash two home runs on opening day since Adam Dunn in 2007, stated, “I know it’s only one game, but it feels good in front of that many fans and the city.” “It was somewhat felt, particularly following the second one.” It got so loud that I could almost feel it. It was simply amazing.

In his debut for Cincinnati, Frankie Montas threw six innings of shutout ball.

As a free agent, Montas (1-0) signed a $16 million, one-year contract with the Reds. In his 100th career start, the right-hander struck out four and walked none while giving up four hits in six innings. While playing with the New York Yankees, he underwent labrum surgery on February 21 of last year. On September 30, he made his lone big league appearance of the season.

According to Montas, “I was just trying to go out there and have fun and just put in a good performance.” “I am aware of my capabilities when I am well. People are aware of my abilities when I’m well. This Frankie Montas is in good health. This me is in good health. I’m simply attempting to savor every moment of it.

TJ Friedl and Matt McClain’s spring training injuries gave Martini the chance to play for his fourth major league team since 2018. In the second inning, he lined a 2-1 cutter into the same vicinity, and the following inning, he hit a first-pitch slider out to right.

“We’ve known this guy can hit, so it’s surprising or shocking when you think about it because this guy has been a good player for a long time,” Reds manager David Bell said of the opening day and his first hit. “We got to witness a fair representation of his abilities and qualities.”

For Cincinnati, Spencer Steer had two hits and two RBIs.

Josiah Gray (0-1) gave up eight hits in four innings, six strikeouts, two walks, and seven runs, matching a career best.

In the seventh inning against Emilio Pagán, Eddie Rosario, who had just been promoted to the major league roster, hit a two-run home run, marking his Nationals debut.

Dave Martinez, the manager of the Nationals, stated, “We need to come back strong.” “The first day is usually strange. An abundance of adrenaline. We pursued numerous pitches. That was not what we did in the spring.

Left-handed The Nationals’ Patrick Corbin is slated to open against Reds right-hander Hunter Greene on Saturday in the resumption of the series.