The Pittsburgh Pirates snapped a three-game losing skid on Monday by securing a 10-3 win in the opener of a four-leg set at home against the visiting Washington Nationals.

Paul Skenes had a solid start in that contest, as the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year allowed just an earned run on three hits and struck out six Washington batters in six innings of work on the mound. He and catcher Henry Davis also made history along the way, as they became just the first battery ever to consist of No. 1 draft picks in the history of the big leagues, according to Sarah Langs of MLB.com.

“Henry Davis and Paul Skenes are the first-ever battery of No. 1 overall draft picks,” Langs shared in a post on X (formerly Twitter) after Davis entered the Nationals game to take over the catching role following the departure of starter Endy Rodriguez due to an apparent hand injury.

The 22-year-old Skenes was taken first overall in the 2023 MLB draft by the Pirates and was already a regular part of the rotation of Pittsburgh the following year. Davis, on the other hand, was selected No. 1 overall by Pittsburgh in the 2021 MLB draft.

Article Continues Below
More Pittsburgh Pirates News
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (45) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field.
3 Pirates who must be on trade block ahead of 2025 deadlineCameron Zunkel ·
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) looks on during the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Fans upset as Tarik Skubal vs. Paul Skenes duel gets shut downScotty White ·
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (45) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning at Wrigley Field.
MLB rumors: Astros, Dodgers, Cubs named good trade fits for Paul Skenes teammateZachary Howell ·
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Adam Frazier (26), outfielder Oneil Cruz (15) and outfielder Bryan Reynolds (10) after the game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Pirates rumors: The pitcher expected to get ‘healthy’ trade returnBenjamin Adducchio ·
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) delivers against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field.
The unfortunate MLB history Paul Skenes made after 15 starts for PiratesBenjamin Adducchio ·
Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) makes a diving catch during the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at PNC Park.
Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen drops insider knowledge on ‘different’ 2025 ballsMatty Breisch ·

With Rodriguez likely to miss games after sustaining a laceration in his right hand in the first inning of the Nationals game and with Joey Bart still out with an injury, Davis could capitalize on an opportunity to shine in a starting role. Skenes seems to trust Davis, who had just been recalled amid Bart's injury.

“[Henry] can call a game,” Skenes said after the victory over Pittsburgh (h/t ESPN). “He was prepared. It's not a surprise. I've been with him for the better part of two years now. You want to see why he's the type of player he is, you don't have to look very far. For him to come into a tough situation, call the game and catch as well as he did says a lot about it.”

“Just being ready to jump in, and know what [Skenes] wanted to do, and be on his page pretty quickly,” Davis shared about being ready in the event that he gets called upon to catch for the Pirates star pitcher on Monday. “That was the goal,” the 25-year-old Davis added.