WASHIINGTON D.C. - On a crisp Thursday afternoon at Nationals Park, March 27, 2025, left-hander MacKenzie Gore etched his name into the annals of baseball history. In his first career Opening Day start, the 26-year-old southpaw delivered a jaw-dropping performance, racking up 13 strikeouts over six scoreless, one-hit innings. Despite the Nationals falling 7-3 to the Philadelphia Phillies, Gore’s outing was nothing short of spectacular, earning him a place alongside legends and setting a new franchise record.

Gore’s dominance was evident from the first pitch—a blazing 95.4 mph fastball to Phillies leadoff hitter Trea Turner. After a six-pitch battle, he struck out Turner swinging, then wasted no time dispatching Bryce Harper in just three pitches. The tone was set, and Gore never looked back. Facing a minimum of 18 batters across 93 pitches (66 strikes), he allowed only one baserunner—a fourth-inning single by Kyle Schwarber, who was promptly erased on a caught stealing.

The numbers tell a story of brilliance. Gore joined Hall of Famer Bob Gibson (1967) as the only pitchers in AL/NL history to record 13 strikeouts, zero walks, and a scoreless outing on Opening Day. He also aligned himself with Lon Warneke (1934), becoming one of just two pitchers to deliver a scoreless Opening Day start with double-digit strikeouts and no more than one hit allowed. Warneke, however, issued two walks in his gem. Gore’s precision was unmatched.

In the process, Gore eclipsed a Nationals franchise record previously set by Max Scherzer, who fanned 12 Mets in 2019. Scherzer, a D.C. icon, also notched double-digit strikeouts in Opening Day starts in 2018 (10 vs. Reds) and 2020 (11 vs. Yankees), while Stephen Strasburg struck out 10 Mets in 2014. Gore’s 13 punchouts now stand alone atop the Nationals’ record books.

“That was special,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said postgame. “To go out there in his first Opening Day start and do what he did was awesome.” Martinez, who named Gore the Opening Day starter after a 2024 campaign where he posted a 10-12 record, 3.90 ERA, and 181 strikeouts in 32 starts, praised his pitcher’s poise. “He’s a different guy. He doesn’t let too many things rattle him. He went out there, and on some close calls that didn’t go his way, he got right back to that next pitch—and it was great.”

Gore himself was caught off guard by the strikeout tally. “I didn’t know [the total] as the game was going on, but when I was done, that’s what they told me,” he said. “I really don’t even know how to describe the feeling. But it was cool, so it was a lot of fun.” Reflecting on the buildup to the start, he added, “I’ve been really thinking about this start for a long time. We were locked in going in, and I think we did a really good job of it. I was obviously really focused and excited. It’s Opening Day, a great atmosphere, and a really good team. I was ready to go.”

The Phillies, despite emerging victorious, couldn’t deny Gore’s mastery. “I thought MacKenzie threw the ball really well—filled up the zone, kept us off balance,” said Bryce Harper, who struggled in the shadows of the early afternoon sun. “Obviously, those first two at-bats, it’s tough against a guy like MacKenzie. I think it was tough for both teams today.”

Behind the plate, catcher Kiebert Ruiz, who also had an offensively standout day, marveled at Gore’s command. “He was doing everything,” Ruiz said. “Getting ahead. Putting good pitches to get away. Making pitches when we needed to. He was great.”

Gore knew the stakes and embraced the moment. “I knew we were emptying the tank there,” he said. “I was fired up.” His arsenal was electric, his focus unshakable, and his execution nearly flawless.

While the Nationals couldn’t capitalize on Gore’s brilliance, falling 7-3 after he exited, his performance offered a glimmer of hope for a team looking to build on a promising 2024. Ranked seventh among NL pitchers in strikeouts per nine innings (9.8) last season, Gore is emerging as a cornerstone of Washington’s rotation. If this Opening Day gem is any indication, the Nationals have a star on their hands—one who’s ready to carry the torch once held by Scherzer and Strasburg.

For Gore, the day was about more than records or accolades. It was about the thrill of the game. “A lot of fun,” he said with a grin. On March 27, 2025, MacKenzie Gore gave Nationals fans plenty to cheer about—and a tantalizing preview of what’s to come.