LHP MacKenzie Gore not only tallied the best start of his career but also one of the best opening-day starts in baseball history. Gore received the opening day nod for the first time a few weeks ago and took the mound on a chilly, 60-degree day in the Nationals capital, facing off against an aggressive Phillies lineup and top starter Zack Wheeler. Gore would not only outshine Wheeler, but he outshined every other starter on this Opening Day. Gore went 6 strong innings, giving up 1 hit and 0 walks, and striking out a career high 13 hitters in the Nationals' 7-4 loss. The Nationals' bullpen would suffer 7 runs in 4 innings, but Gore kept DC in the equation as long as he could.
As the Nationals celebrate their 20th anniversary since moving back to DC, Gore wrote some history of his own. Gore collected the most strikeouts in Nationals history on opening day, passing Max Scherzer, who had 12 back in 2019. Gore also added his name to MLB's history books, becoming only the 2nd pitcher in MLB history to strikeout 13 batters without giving up a walk or run on Opening day. Safe to say that this Opening Day was one to remember for the aspiring ace. As for the only other pitcher to accomplish this? How about Bob Gibson!
While Gore pitched well, the bullpen suffered. Lucas Sims made his Nats debut and immediately gave up a homerun to the most hated guy in town (1B Bryce Harper), which would tie the game at that point. Jose A Ferrer, picked as a breakout candidate by many of us here at District on Deck, would also give up a home run to former Nat Kyle Schwarber as the Phillies took the lead. RHP Kyle Finnegan would limit the damage, and the Nats would rally in the 8th, but it was another lowly extra innings experience for the Nats, with new-Nat Colin Poche giving up a 2-run double and taking the loss. Luckily, the Nationals have an off day today and can replenish for the weekend.
For Nationals fans, it's hard not to be optimistic. While the score was lopsided, the team played well. Especially MacKenzie Gore. Nats fans have waited quite some time to see if they really won the trade that sent Soto to the San Diego Padres, and if MacK can pitch even half as well as he did on Opening day for the rest of the season, it should be an All-Star caliber year for the southpaw.