Congressional Baseball Game: Republicans Seek Sixth Consecutive Victory as Mark Teixeira Joins GOP Roster
Republican lawmakers defeated Democrats 11-2 at the annual Congressional Baseball Game for Charity on Wednesday night at Nationals Park, extending their winning streak to six consecutive years. Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) pitched a complete game with five strikeouts, while Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) was named MVP after a diving catch that left him with a bloody nose and a two-hit, two-walk night at the plate. The game raised a record $3.2 million for D.C.-area charities, surpassing last year's record of $2.75–$2.8 million, with more than 32,000 tickets sold.
The GOP secured its sixth straight Congressional Baseball Game victory Wednesday night at Nationals Park, defeating Democrats 11-2 in front of a crowd of more than 32,000 — well above the Washington Nationals' average attendance this season. Republicans built an 11-0 lead by the end of the fourth inning, aided by Democratic fielding errors including a wild throw by Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA) that allowed two runs to score. Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) went the full seven innings on the mound, surrendering only two runs while striking out five batters. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) was the night's standout performer, making a diving catch in left field that left him with a bloody nose and going 2-for-2 with two walks, earning MVP honors. Democrats managed to outhit Republicans through the first three innings but could not convert those hits into runs; Rep. Dave Min (D-CA) drove in the team's only two runs on an RBI single in the later innings. The event raised a record $3.2 million for organizations including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, Washington Nationals Philanthropies, and the U.S. Capitol Police Memorial Fund. Republicans now lead the all-time series 48-42-1, and the prospect of former MLB slugger Mark Teixeira potentially joining the GOP roster in 2027 has Democrats already strategizing about how to handle him.
What's missing
The exact final score confirmation from The Hill's article was truncated, though all other sources consistently report 11-2.
How coverage differed
Right-leaning outlets (Fox News, Daily Wire, New York Post) framed the Republican victory with partisan enthusiasm, using language like 'clobbered the liberals' and drawing explicit comparisons between Republican baseball play and conservative governance. Center-leaning outlets (The Hill, Roll Call) reported the same facts in a more straightforward, play-by-play style, giving more space to Democratic perspectives such as coach Linda Sánchez's dismissal of the Teixeira threat and noting bipartisan elements like matching uniforms for America's 250th anniversary.
What different sources said
- Fox NewsRight
Sen. Eric Schmitt shows off glove that made viral Congressional Baseball Game diving catch
- Daily WireRight
Red, White, And Bruised: GOP Senator Makes Spectacular Catch In Congressional Baseball Game
- New York PostRight
Sen. Eric Schmitt dazzles as Republicans clobber Democrats in Congressional Baseball Game for sixth straight year
- The HillCenter
Photos: 2026 Congressional Baseball Game
- Washington ExaminerRight
Congressional Baseball Game: How to watch and what to know
- Roll CallCenter
GOP brings home sixth Congressional Baseball Game in a row
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