Jackson Rutledge, a first-round pick by Washington in 2018, made his major league debut on the mound Wednesday as the Nationals visited the Pittsburgh Pirates.
It was a rough debut, that added injury to insult. Already trailing 5-1, Rutledge walked Ji Hwan Bae. Bae then attempted to steal second base and Nats catcher Drew Millas made an errant throw, one that hit his ducking pitcher in the back of the head.
Rutledge, whose family was in the crowd, was checked out and stayed in the game. He'd give up a home run to the next batter and lasted one more Pirate after that before exiting.
The rookie pitcher walked off having allowed seven runs on 10 hits and one walk over three and two-thirds innings.