WASHINGTON (AP) — It was hard to tell which Washington rookie was more excited after his big league debut, Yohandy Morales or Jared Simpson.
Morales had three hits, including a homer. Simpson threw three perfect innings and got the win. Both were called up from the minors before the game, and the Nationals' expanded roster beat the Atlanta Braves 9-5 on Tuesday night.
“Unbelievable from both of those guys,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said.
This was the second time since 1901 a player homered in his debut, while a different player on the same team earned the win on the mound in his debut, according to Sportradar. It also happened on April 4, 2005, when Colorado's Jeff Baker homered against San Diego, and Ryan Speier of the Rockies got the win in the season opener.
On five other occasions, the same player has both homered and earned the win in his debut: Kenta Maeda of the Dodgers in 2016, Jason Jennings of the Rockies in 2001, John Montefusco of the Giants in 1974, Hal Haydel of the Twins in 1970 and Denny McLain of the Tigers in 1963.
Morales hit 25 homers at Triple-A this season. He was batting fifth as the designated hitter Tuesday, and his solo shot in the third to put Washington ahead 5-2.
“I just zoned out,” Morales said. “I just started rounding the bases and pointed at my family before I touched home.”
Morales later hit a double and a single.
The Nationals were trying to protect a three-run lead in the fifth when starter Jake Irvin was lifted and the 26-year-old Simpson came on. The left-hander inherited runners on first and second with nobody out, facing the top of the order.
Drake Baldwin bounced into a double play, and then Ronald Acuña Jr. hit a flyout.
“It was nice to throw some fastballs to Acuña, and him foul it off instead of hit a home run,” Simpson said. “That was exciting.”
Then Simpson breezed through two more innings. He ended up facing eight hitters and getting nine outs.
“I used to use Matt Olson in ‘MLB The Show,’” Simpson said. “When I was just facing him I'm like, ‘That’s kind of cool.'”
Simpson said he once thought he'd make his debut as a closer, but instead of getting a save Tuesday he ended up with a win.
“I thought I was a closer, but they got me in long relief, which I've been liking. It's been successful,” Simpson said. “I thought I was going to walk out to a cool song with lights flashing and stuff like that, but I will take this any day of the week.”
After Morales and Simpson arrived and contributed, the Nationals are preparing for another exciting addition: Slugger James Wood is on his way back from an oblique injury. Butera said he would return Wednesday, assuming he's feeling fine in the morning.
See AP’s full MLB coverage here
Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jared Simpson throws during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Nationals' Yohandy Morales hits a double during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
U.S. Sen. Ed Markey secured the Democratic nomination in Massachusetts’ Senate primary Tuesday, once again fending off a push for generational change as he seeks a third term.
Markey, 80, defeated U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, 47, who had attempted to argue that it was time to do away with the “status quo” in his pursuit to oust the octogenarian.
Yet Markey successfully pointed to Moulton’s more moderate positions to argue that it was Moulton — not the older incumbent — who was out of touch with the state’s voters. Perhaps no other issue defined the race more than transgender rights, and Markey repeatedly hit Moulton for previously saying he would not want his daughters to play against transgender athletes.
“Massachusetts needs a senator who stands up and fights back, a senator who never forgets who they are fighting for,” Markey said during his victory speech. “That has been the mission of my life, and it always will be.”
In heavily Democratic Massachusetts, the primary is considered the most critical election hurdle, and the winner is expected to prevail in the general election in November.
Markey has been a fixture in Massachusetts politics since the 1970s, prompting Moulton to make his “status quo” arguments on the campaign trail and to question Markey’s accomplishments during his lengthy time in office.
“Generational change isn’t about compromising, to do the small things better,” Markey said Tuesday. “It’s about fighting to do the big things best.”
In a concession speech, Moulton said he would now support Markey.
“Challenging the establishment and calling for a new generation of leadership isn’t easy. But it is necessary,” Moulton told supporters. “We started conversations that needed to happen.”
“We didn’t achieve our goal tonight, but I am confident others will be inspired to buck the system when they’re told to wait their turn,” he added.
The Senate race was not the only generational challenge for Democrats on the ballot. A similar dynamic played out in the 8th Congressional District, where Patrick Roath hoped to oust longtime incumbent Rep. Stephen Lynch. Meanwhile, in the 1st Congressional District of western Massachusetts, Rep. Richard Neal successfully advanced to the general election against progressive public school teacher Jeromie Whalen.
During the campaign Markey repeatedly pointed out that Moulton, in 2024, raised eyebrows among some in the party for saying he did not want his daughters playing sports against transgender girls.
Critics said he was echoing President Donald Trump’s talking points against allowing transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports.
Moulton later apologized for his remarks, saying it was not his intention to hurt the transgender community and stressing his support for other transgender rights bills.
“If you’re in the trans community or you’re a trans kid feeling the weight of the Trump administration and the Supreme Court, you matter,” Moulton said during an August debate. “You’re valued, and I will always have your back.”
Moulton, who enlisted in the Marines after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and served four tours of duty in Iraq, was first elected to Massachusetts’ 6th Congressional District in 2014. He launched a 2020 presidential campaign but dropped it after a few months.
Markey was elected to the Senate in 2013. Before that he represented Massachusetts’ 7th Congressional District from 1976 to 2013.
Markey notably fended off a challenge in 2020 from Rep. Joe Kennedy III, a younger rival from one of the nation's most famous political families. Markey did so by aligning himself with the liberal wing of the Democratic Party.
Antoine Hilaire, a 76-year-old Democrat who voted for Markey in Brockton on Tuesday, said being older can be a positive because it offers people experience and wisdom.
“If the older one is doing the better job, I don’t know,” he said. “He’s doing a good job. It’s not a big, big, big problem.”
Lynch, 71, has held the 8th District seat in south Boston since 2001. He faced Roath, a 39-year-old lawyer who contended that it is time to end “wait-your-turn” politics. Lynch stressed the value of experience inside Congress.
Lynch has fended off other youth challenges in the past, but Roath’s campaign hoped for a boost of excitement after longtime Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. John Larson was defeated by former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin in August in neighboring Connecticut. Like Roath, Bronin called for the need for generational change while running against an establishment politician.
In the 1st District Democratic primary in western Massachusetts, Neal, 77, defeated Whalen, 39.
Neal, known as the dean of the New England House delegation, was first elected in 1988. Whalen ran to the left of Neal, calling for Medicare for All and questioning whether Neal has done enough to oppose Trump’s agenda.
Whalen was endorsed by Our Revolution, a progressive organization founded by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
Associated Press reporter Leah Willingham in Brockton contributed.
The story has been updated to correct Larson’s first name to John, not Jim.
U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., reacts with his wife Susan Blumenthal after winning the Democratic nomination during a primary election night event Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., speaks alongside his wife Susan Blumenthal after winning the Democratic nomination during a primary election night event Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Attendees cheer after U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., won the Democratic nomination during a primary election night event Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., reacts alongside his wife Susan Blumenthal after winning the Democratic nomination during a primary election night event Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., along with his wife, Susan Blumenthal gestures after winning the Democratic nomination during a primary election night event Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Rep. Seth Moulton speaks after losing the Democratic primary during a primary election night event Tuesday Sept. 1, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Reba Saldanha)
Supporters of U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., react during a primary election night event Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
A supporter reacts to first results after polls closed during a primary election night event for U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton campaigns outside Cary Hall, the town hall and polling place in Lexington, Mass., Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. (Lauren Feeney/Lexington Observer via AP)
U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton campaigns outside Cary Hall, the town hall and polling place in Lexington, Mass., Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. (Lauren Feeney/Lexington Observer via AP)
FILE - Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., speaks during a news conference on Feb. 18, 2026, in New Albany, Ohio. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel, File)
Patrick Roath, a Democrat candidate challenging U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) in the 8th Congressional District, talks with residents at a retirement community, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in Westwood, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
In this combination photo, Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., speaks during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, March 27, 2025, left, and Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., speaks during a candidate forum, Aug. 3, 2019, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo)
U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass. who is campaigning to unseat Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., speaks to prospective voters Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Wakefield, Mass. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds)
Sen. Ed Markey speaks during a Get Out the Vote event supporting Markey, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026 in Boston. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
