WASHINGTON — It took Cade Cavalli nearly three years to make it back to a major league mound after his debut.

He needed just three starts after his return to earn his first victory.

The Washington Nationals’ first-round pick in the 2020 amateur draft pitched seven innings in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, scattering seven hits while allowing just one runner to reach third base.

“I’ve been wanting to get this win since 2020, and just contribute to a win,” Cavalli said two days after his 27th birthday. “I’m very pumped about it.”

Cavalli debuted on Aug. 26, 2022, a little more than two years after being selected out of Oklahoma. He lasted 4 1/3 innings in that start against Cincinnati and missed the rest of the season with shoulder inflammation. He underwent Tommy

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