Fast start

Outfielder Brandon Watson, one of the minor leagues’ most prolific hitters in the early years of the new millennium, doubles and homers in his first three at-bats in the majors 19 years ago today as the Washington Nationals beat the Astros 6-5 before a Monday night crowd of 34,255 in Houston.

Alas for Watson, he totals only 15 hits in 86 at-bats in an on-again, off-again career in the majors that lasts through the 2007 season.

After leaving the majors, Watson, whose 180 hits in 2003 with the Class AA Harrisburg Senators remain a franchise record, continues to .300 batting averages around the minors until he finally retires after the 2011 season at the age of 30.