MacKenzie Gore Shines with Efficient Outing in 2025 MLB All-Star Game

ATLANTA, GA - Despite a challenging season so far for the Nationals, to say the least, fans have reason to celebrate after two of the team’s brightest young stars, LHP MacKenzie Gore and James Wood, made their debuts at the 2025 MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta.

Both Gore and Wood, forever linked by the trade that brought them to Washington, were named All-Stars for the first time in their careers. For Gore, the selection reflects a breakout season on the mound, where he’s racked up 131 strikeouts in just 18 starts, including a memorable 13-strikeout performance on Opening Day that set the tone for his year.

Meanwhile, James Wood has taken the league by storm in his first full campaign. At just 22 years old, Wood has demonstrated power and poise at the plate, hitting 23 home runs and driving in 67 runs, all while maintaining a .288/.391/.549 slash line—a display of consistency and maturity well beyond his years

For a club that hasn’t had much to cheer for in the standings this summer, having two deserving All-Star selections—both making their first appearances—is a bright spot for Nationals fans who can truly be proud of. In his lone inning of work during the 5th, left-hander MacKenzie Gore delivered an efficient performance, retiring the side in order with a perfect 1-2-3 frame.

He needed just nine pitches—five of them strikes—to get the job done. Gore faced Junior Caminero, Javier Báez, and Jacob Wilson, and all three grounded out to shortstop Francisco Lindor. Remarkably, he needed only three pitches to get those three outs—one for each batter. It was a clean, composed showing that highlighted Gore’s poise on the big stage of his first All-Star Game.

It wasn’t until the bottom of the eighth inning that James Wood grounded into a force out, with third baseman Maikel Garcia tossing to shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. to retire Eugenio Suárez at second. Wood reached first on the play but was ultimately left stranded at second base.