The Los Angeles Dodgers rode a three-run first inning and seven shutout frames from Hyun-Jin Ryu to an 8-0 victory and seven-game season sweep of the New York Mets. It marked the first time in franchise history the Dodgers did not lose a game to the Mets during a single year.
Los Angeles once again received contributions throughout their lineup, led by home runs from Justin Turner and Cody Bellinger. Austin Barnes provided an RBI double in the first inning, though went on to endure a bit of a rough night.
Barnes appeared to jam his left wrist or hand on Mets catcher Travis d’Arnaud’s foot during an attempt to score from second base on Kiké Hernandez’s base hit. One inning later, Barnes was struck on his right hand by a foul ball off the bat of Jose Reyes.
Barnes was checked on by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and head athletic trainer Nate Lucero before remaining in the game. He played all nine innings and was then sent for X-rays following the club’s win, which came back negative, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
X-rays negative on Barnes hand.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) August 7, 2017
Whether swelling or discomfort played a role is unclear, but Barnes went hitless in his final three at-bats. Ryu’s stellar outing and solid relief appearances by Tony Cingrani and Kenley Jansen did not require the versatile backstop to test his throwing hand in the field.
Barnes joins Yasmani Grandal in not quite being 100 percent at present time. Grandal was removed in the bottom of the eighth inning on Saturday due to back spasms that he later said have cropped up of late.
The timing could be worse, as Barnes and Grandal will have the benefit of Monday’s off-day. Beyond that, the Dodgers are in strong position to absorb one of their catchers potentially being unavailable for an additional day or two as Kyle Farmer is also on the active roster.
