Los Angeles Dodgers' Austin Barnes Joins Short List of Catchers in Team History
The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday by a score of 1-0.
It was a great game that saw the only run scored in the bottom of the eighth inning on a home run by light-hitting catcher Austin Barnes. The win also ran the Dodgers' record to 74-46 and improved their winning streak to 11 games.
With the performance at the plate - and behind it - Barnes joined a short list in team history.
Per Sarah Langs of MLB.com:
Dodgers to catch shutout & hit solo HR in 1-0 game, multiple times since 1901:
Austin Barnes: 8/17/23, 7/24/21
Dioner Navarro: 7/20/11, 6/19/11
Mike Piazza: 8/14/97, 8/4/94
John Roseboro: 9/15/67, 7/10/63
It was certainly a full day at the office for Barnes, who is usually known for his defensive work. That was his first home run of the season. He's got just seven RBI in 125 at-bats and a paltry .392 OPS. He's hitting only .136 this year and is a lifetime .216 hitter.
He's in his ninth big league season, all with the Dodgers, and is extremely close with Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, who he has routinely caught for.
The Dodgers are starting a new series on Friday night with the playoff-hopeful Miami Marlins. First pitch from Dodger Stadium is set for 10:10 p.m. ET as former NL Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara pitches against righty Tony Gonsolin.
Alcantara is 5-10 with a 4.09 ERA this season while Gonsolin is 8-4 with a 4.24 ERA.
The Marlins are 63-59.
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