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Reds rookie pitcher Lyon Richardson began his big-league career on Sunday, and it couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start. The righty quickly received his welcome to the MLB as Nationals hitters teed off.
In fact, the first two pitches of his Major League career left the park.
CJ Abrams and Lane Thomas went back-to-back in the top of the first inning, smacking a pair of home runs on the first pitches they saw.
The homers began a somewhat forgettable first start for Richardson.
Lyon Richardson is making his big league debut today
His first two MLB pitches ever resulted in back to back home runs pic.twitter.com/wWQ7mabzAR
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 6, 2023
The baseball world was quick to respond to the tumultuous opening pitches.
3rd pitch is the charm
— Portland Pickles (@picklesbaseball) August 6, 2023
lil bro throwing BP out there
— Michael T. Quinn Jr. (@gachivision) August 6, 2023
Not a baseball genius by any means but 95 and 97 fastballs right down the pipe is just asking for it
— Webb (@_nickwebber) August 6, 2023
Not exactly how you want your big-league career to begin.
Richardson has been with the Reds organization since 2018 when he was drafted by Cincinnati in the second round. The 23-year-old pitcher was called up this week to make his debut.
His miserable first inning didn’t get much better as he’d later allow two more runs to score on a Jake Alu RBI single.
Lyon Richardson settled in a bit after that rocky start, though he only managed to last three innings while allowing those four runs. Barring some late inning Cincinnati heroics, it looks like he’ll be dealt a loss in his Major League debut.
The Reds currently trail the Nationals 6-3 in the top half of the ninth inning.