ATLANTA -- With his family and friends gathered at Truist Park to watch him play Monday night, Atlanta-area product Nasim Nuñez had a goal.

“First off, I hope they get to observe me doing something cool,” Nuñez said before the game. “That's what I like to do.”

Undoubtedly, hitting a first-pitch leadoff home run is pretty cool.

The switch-hitting Nuñez was tabbed at the top of the Nationals’ order to face nine-time All-Star and reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale. Within a matter of seconds of stepping up to the plate, Nuñez connected on a first-pitch leadoff home run over the right-field wall. He sent a 94.9 mph fastball from the lefty a Statcast-projected 361 feet with 97.2 mph exit velocity.

Nuñez added two more hits for a 3-for-4 night in the Nationals' 11-5 loss to the

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