10-0 Congressional Baseball Game shutout has GOP pitching November red wave

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Republicans are ready to swing for the fences in November after defeating the Democrats in the Congressional Baseball Game on Thursday night at Nationals Park.

GOP members of Congress triumphed over their colleagues across the aisle by a score of 10-0 in the charity game, making it a two-win streak for Republicans after winning 13-12 last year.

August Pfluger, Jon Ossoff
Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), right, reacts after tagging out Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) at the Congressional Baseball Game.

The decisive win led Republicans to argue that the result foreshadows a red wave in the midterm elections. The GOP hopes to win back control of one or both chambers of Congress.

“This 10-0 shutout at the #CongressionalBaseballGame is only a preview of what’s coming in November!” the Republican National Committee tweeted.

“Since being elected to Congress, the @GOP IS 2-0 in the #CongressionalBaseballGame. This is the red wave. #Winning,” Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK) said in a tweet.

At least one Democrat appeared to be a sore loser. Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA), as she was being replaced by a pinch runner, was caught on camera flipping the bird at the GOP dugout.

Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA) was named MVP for the Democrats, while freshman Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) was the MVP for the Republicans, according to a Fox News reporter.

The Congressional Baseball Game has become an annual event between the Democrats and Republicans in Congress. Last year, it made a return after being canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to last year’s GOP victory, the Democrats boasted a three-game winning streak.

“Since 1909 the Congressional Baseball Game has been an annual bipartisan event beloved by all and enjoyed by thousands. Members of the United States Congress from each party solidify friendships off the floor and on the field,” the event’s website states. “Over the last century the Congressional Baseball Game’s popularity has contributed to its evolution into a foundation called Congressional Sports for Charity that supports worthy and effective Washington, DC area charities. These charities include The Washington Literacy Center, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, and Washington Nationals Philanthropies along with the United States Capitol Police Memorial Fund in gratitude to the brave officers at the Republican practice shooting on June 14, 2017.”

Protesters, many of whom were demanding climate action, made a scene at this year’s contest in Washington, D.C.

There was also a rain delay.

The game Thursday comes a little more than five years after House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) sustained near-fatal injuries, undergoing multiple lifesaving surgeries and blood transfusions following the attack, in which he, a member of his security detail, Crystal Griner, congressional aide Zack Barth, and lobbyist Matt Mika were shot at by a gunman, who fired nearly 70 rounds at GOP lawmakers during practice on a baseball field in Alexandria, Virginia, in 2017.

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He spoke with the Washington Examiner ahead of the game, saying in part, “I’ve fully healed and am very lucky to be alive, so I don’t take anything for granted. I still love going out to practice, and I’ll be the lead-off batter tonight, so that’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Next up is the Congressional Women’s Softball Game, which is set for Sept. 14 and will raise funds for young women with breast cancer.

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