ST. LOUIS -- A day after hitting a home run during batting pratice, John Gant knocked one out for his first career hit. The homer traveled a projected 348 feet, according to Statcast™, off Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez in the second inning Tuesday night, giving the Cardinals a 3-0 lead.
Before Gant took him deep, Gonzalez had never given up a home run to a pitcher. Entering Tuesday, opposing pitchers were 28-for-325 (.086), with a .098 slugging percentage and 194 strikeouts against the lefty.
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Gant made 35 career plate appearances without reaching base prior to the home run, and joined Miles Mikolas and Carlos Martinez as the third Cardinals pitcher to homer this season.