Washington ( CNN ) -- Democrats and Republicans squared off in the 50th annual Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park Thursday night . Unlike the midterm elections , the Republicans never led in this one , falling to the Democrats 8-2 in front of more than 7,000 people . Freshmen Rep. Cedric Richmond , D-Louisiana , shone on the mound for the Democrats going five innings before giving up a hit . `` We gained 87 seats in the last election , they gained three but one of theirs is a pitcher from New Orleans , Cedric Richmond , who I do want to point out to Mr. Richmond that the Congressional salary is $ 175,000 . The Major League minimum salary $ 350,000 and I know the owner of the Astros and the Texas Rangers , '' said Republican coach Rep. Joe Barton , R-Texas . While Democrats and Republicans were adversaries on the field , Democratic coach Rep. Mike Doyle , D-Pennsylvania , says he hopes events like this can help make bipartisanship a little more likely on Capitol Hill . `` It gives us a chance to get to know one another and it helps a lot when you see someone on the floor that you played ball with , you have something else in common with them , '' Doyle said . `` You 're going to give them the benefit of the doubt and be a little bit more civil . '' Barton agreed . `` It does , it honestly does help , '' Barton said . `` We spend a lot of time on the floor talking baseball ; that makes it easier when we do try to talk policy . '' Congress played their first baseball game in 1909 with a few interruptions such as the Great Depression and World War II . Ticket proceeds from this year 's game raised more than $ 150,000 for The Washington Literacy Council and The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington .
The Republicans fall to the Dems 8-2 . Participants say the event helps improve relations . The event raised money for literacy and childrens charities in Washington .