How Paul Skenes, Henry Davis Made MLB History In Pirates Win

The Pittsburgh Pirates sure didn’t plan to make MLB history in Monday’s 10-3 win over the Washington Nationals.

But it turned out that way following an injury to starting catcher Endy Rodriguez in the top of the first inning. Rodriguez suffered a laceration on one of his fingers on his throwing hand just 10 pitches into the game to force the early exit.

Henry Davis replaced Rodriguez and Davis teamed up with Skenes to become the first-ever battery of No. 1 overall draft picks, according to MLB’s Sarah Langs. The Pirates drafted Davis first overall in 2021 and were in the same position two years later when they selected Skenes.

Skenes looked sharp with Davis behind the plate and it was much-needed from the talented right-hander after allowing a career-high five runs in his last outing to the St. Louis Cardinals. Skenes held the Nationals to two runs (one earned) on three hits while striking out six and walking none in six innings. He threw 64 of his 99 pitches for strikes and earned the win.

Meanwhile, Davis went 1-for-4 as Pittsburgh’s offense scored as many runs as it did in its previous five games.

The Skenes-Davis battery proved to work, so perhaps the Pirates will turn to it again. Skenes is slated to pitch Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians.