HOUSTON -- Ryan Zimmerman played for 15 seasons in the big leagues before getting a chance to play in the World Series, tied for the most among active position players. So when he finally got his chance to play in the Fall Classic, he made the most of it right away.

With two outs in the second inning of the Nationals' 5-4 win over the Astros in Game 1 on Tuesday night, Zimmerman crushed a solo home run to center field off Gerrit Cole, just the second earned run Cole has allowed in the postseason, to put the Nats on the board. It was the first World Series homer in franchise history, so perhaps it was fitting that it came off the bat of the player who has played in every season in team history.

¡°You're kind of almost floating around the bases,¡± Zimmerman said.

The homer came a half-inning after Max Scherzer allowed two runs to the Astros in the bottom of the first at Minute Maid Park.

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It was Zimmerman¡¯s second homer of this postseason, as he continues to spend the month proving he can still be productive. He began the postseason expecting to come off the bench -- he didn¡¯t start in the National League Wild Card Game or Game 1 of the NL Division Series -- but thanks to his hot bat and solid glove, he has reclaimed his spot as the Nationals¡¯ starting first baseman.

At 35 years and 24 days old, Zimmerman is the third-oldest player to homer in his first career World Series plate appearance, trailing only Barry Bonds (38 years, 87 days in 2002) and Bob Watson (35 years, 193 days in 1981).