James Wood’s first appearance at Camden Yards was nearly overshadowed by another impressive debut, though not by much.
Andrés Chaparro hit three doubles in his first big league game, leading the Washington Nationals to a 9-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night.
Chaparro became just the fourth player in major league history to hit at least three doubles in his debut, the first since Nick Evans of the New York Mets did it on May 24, 2008.
Meanwhile, Wood had his second four-hit game in the past 18 days. “Who?” manager Dave Martinez joked when asked about Wood’s big night.
Indeed, Chaparro’s performance drew significant attention, even though the 6-foot-7 Wood was on base for all three of Chaparro’s doubles.
The Nationals had acquired Chaparro from Arizona for right-hander Dylan Floro last month. Chaparro, who reached the majors at age 25, had his family—parents, two brothers, a sister-in-law, and his wife—at the game.
“Last year if it would have happened, especially around this time, they were in Venezuela. I wouldn’t have been able to have them here,” Chaparro said through a translator. “God works magic in different ways, and they were able to be here.”
Chaparro’s doubles helped Wood advance to third base in the fourth inning, and both scored on sacrifice flies to give the Nationals a 4-2 lead. In the sixth inning, Chaparro doubled Wood to third again, and both scored once more.
In the eighth inning, Wood hit a double for his fourth hit, and Chaparro doubled him home, extending the lead to 8-2.
The game featured two rookies who have been high on prospect lists: Wood and Baltimore second baseman Jackson Holliday. Wood drove in the game’s first run with a single in the first inning.
Later, with runners on first and third, Wood attempted to steal second. Although he was caught in a rundown by Trevor Rogers, Wood stayed in the rundown long enough for Juan Yepez to score from third before the third out.
