MacKenzie Gore Makes History on Opening Day, But Nationals Fall in Extras

Nationals Opening Day starter MacKenzie Gore delivered a performance for the ages, putting up numbers matched only by the legendary Bob Gibson. Unfortunately for Washington, his dominance wasn’t enough, as the Phillies won 7–3 in extra innings.

Gore was electric, striking out 13 batters—setting a Nationals franchise record—including nine through the first four innings. He retired the final 14 batters he faced and allowed just one hit over six scoreless frames. According to MLB, Gore became only the second pitcher in history, alongside Gibson (1967), to record 13 strikeouts without a walk in a scoreless Opening Day outing.

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But as soon as Gore exited, the Nationals’ bullpen faltered. Just one out into the seventh inning, Bryce Harper launched a game-tying home run off Lucas Sims. Later in the inning, José Ferrer took over on the mound and gave up a first-pitch bomb to Kyle Schwarber, putting Philadelphia in front.

Phillies ace Zack Wheeler was nearly as brilliant as Gore, tossing six innings of two-hit, one-run ball. Washington tied the game at 3 in the eighth inning, thanks to key hits from CJ Abrams and Luis García Jr.

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However, the Phillies slammed the door in extras. Alec Bohm ripped a scorching double, and J.T. Realmuto followed with a clutch triple as Philadelphia scored four runs in the 10th to seal the win.

Despite the loss, Opening Day belonged to MacKenzie Gore, who etched his name into the record books with a performance Nationals fans won’t forget.