Paul Skenes and Henry Davis made history as the first pitcher/catcher battery in MLB to both be selected as the No. 1 draft picks. In a game where the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Washington Nationals 10-3, Skenes rebounded from a rough start, pitching six innings and striking out six, allowing two runs, one earned.
Davis, the top pick in 2021, replaced the injured starter Endy Rodriguez in the first inning and contributed with a single. Despite facing challenges in his journey to the majors, Davis, at 25 years old, showcased potential for an extended role with the team. Manager Derek Shelton indicated that Rodriguez may require a stint on the injured list after sustaining an index finger laceration during the game.
The game also saw standout performances from players like Oneil Cruz, Enmanuel Valdez, and Ke'Bryan Hayes on the Pirates' side, with Bryan Reynolds and Andrew McCutchen making significant contributions. Brad Lord struggled as the Nationals' pitcher, lasting 4 1/3 innings and allowing four runs.