The annual Congressional Baseball Game returned to Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night, where Republicans secured a decisive 13-2 victory over their Democratic counterparts, marking their fifth consecutive win in the long-running bipartisan charity event.

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Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) made a key defensive play in the top of the first inning that helped set the tone for the night.

With the bases loaded and Democrats threatening to take an early lead, Pfluger fielded a sharply hit ball down the third base line, got to his feet, and dove to tag third base ahead of the advancing runner. The play ended the inning and left three Democratic runners stranded.

Pfluger celebrated the momentum-shifting play with a fist pump, and the Republicans carried the energy into the bottom half of the inning, where they quickly built a lead that continued to grow throughout the game.

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The Congressional Baseball Game has been a tradition on Capitol Hill since 1909, offering lawmakers from both parties a chance to take the field for charity.

This year, more than 30,000 tickets were sold, with approximately $2.79 million raised for various charitable causes, according to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who addressed the crowd ahead of the first pitch.

The Republican team was managed by Rep. Roger Williams (R-TX), who previously played in the Atlanta Braves’ minor league system.

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Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) coached the Democrats.

Before the game, Williams jokingly stated that the key to victory was “scoring more runs than the other team,” while Sanchez expressed hope that a new class of Democratic freshmen could help change their fortunes.

The GOP lineup jumped to a 5-0 lead in the first two innings, capitalizing on a rough outing from Democratic pitcher Rep. Chris DeLuzio (D-PA), who struggled with his command in the second inning.

The Democrats answered back with two runs in the third to make it a 5-2 game, but the Republicans broke the game open in the fifth and sixth innings, adding eight more runs and sealing the final score at 13-2.

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Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL), who pitched for the Republicans, said he recorded seven strikeouts during the seven-inning game.

Speaking after the win, Steube said, “We should have hit the ball a little better early on, but we turned it up in the fifth and sixth innings.”

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Steube also praised Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), who played right field and made a late-game catch, calling him the team’s most valuable player.

After the final out, players from both parties shook hands, concluding the game with the traditional display of unity.

Despite the competitive nature of the event, both sides emphasized the charitable impact and camaraderie the game fosters each year.

Asked about post-game recovery plans, Steube had a quick answer.

“I am going to take an ice bath tomorrow,” he said.

The Republican team continues to hold the all-time series lead in the Congressional Baseball Game, further solidifying their recent dominance in the annual contest.

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