Republicans crushed Democrats by a score of 16-6 Wednesday night at the annual Congressional Baseball Game to deal the Dems their third straight defeat in the charity game. 

Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) took the mound as the starting pitcher for the GOP just months after breaking his pelvis, puncturing a lung and suffering a concussion in a ladder fall at his Florida home. 

The 45-year-old Florida Republican, who wore a red “Make America Great Again” hat signed by former President Donald Trump, tossed 4 innings and gave up 5 runs. He also blasted the hardest hit ball of the evening – a run-scoring double in the third inning that made it to the warning track and bounced over the fence at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

In September of 2021, Steube became the first congressional baseball player in more than 40 years to hit an out-of-the-park homerun at the annual game. 

Not to be outdone, freshman Sen. Erick Schmitt (R-Mo.) crushed a ball in the third inning for a bases-loaded triple. 

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) played first base and was the lead-off hitter for the GOP six years after he was shot by a left-wing extremist at a YMCA Diamond Practice Field in Alexandria, Va., a day before the 2017 edition of the game. 

“For me, this year’s Congressional Baseball Game is especially meaningful as it marks the sixth anniversary of the shooting,” Scalise said Wednesday before the first pitch. “By God’s grace and the incredible heroism of our Capitol Police officers, first responders and my teammates, I am lucky to be alive today to play another game and I look forward to defending our title as champions.”

Despite the loss, the Democrats did make some history Wednesday night. 

Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), who infamously gave the Republican dugout the middle finger during last year’s contest, became the first female manager of a congressional squad, and Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) became the first black female Democrat to play in the Congressional Baseball Game’s 114-year history.

The announced attendance at Wednesday’s game was 26,653, which helped raise $1.8 million for 44 charities in the Washington, DC area.

Lying Rep. George Santos (R-NY) – wearing a New York Mets jersey – was among those taking in the game from the stands. 

His presence caused a bit of commotion when a number of apparent supporters lined up in the stands to take selfies with the congressman who has been charged by the Justice Department with fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds, and making false statements

“Even in Washington, sports inspire people to put aside their differences and come together for a good cause,” Scalise said of the bipartisan athletic showcase. “That’s the purpose of this game —we’re showcasing friendships on both sides of the aisle, leading by example in demonstrating sportsmanship and raising nearly $2 million dollars for youth charities.”

After Wednesday night’s game, Republicans hold an overall edge over Democrats in the series by three games, with a 45-42-1 record.