Jun 26

Game 71, 2022

Dodgers at Braves, 4:08 PM PDT, TV: ESPN, MLBN (out-of-market only)

There’s kind of a “Lord of the Rings” flair to this game today; both pitchers names are close to those found in the books. RHP Tony Gonsolin (9-0, 10.58 ERA) faces RHP Spencer Strider (3-2, 3.40 ERA). Gondolin was an Elvish city in Beleriand, while Strider is the Rangers’ name for Aragorn, ultimately King of Gondor and Arnor.

Gonsolin has flirted with the league lead in ERA all year and is tied for the MLB lead in wins. Not bad for a guy who’s celebrating the anniversary of his major league debut in 2019. Strider was strictly a reliever until May 30, when he made his first start. His June appearances have all been as a starter.

Today in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1944 At the Polo Grounds with over 50,000 fans looking on, the New York major league teams face each other in a six inning three-team game (a team played consecutive innings against the other two teams then sat out an inning) to raise money for war bonds. The charity contest, billed as the Tri-Cornered Baseball Game, ends with the final score of Dodgers 5, Yankees 1, Giants 0.

  • 1968 Cardinals right-hander Bob Gibson tosses his fifth consecutive shutout as he blanks the Pirates, 3-0, in the first game of a doubleheader played at Busch Stadium. The future Hall of Famer’s accomplishment is one shy of the major league mark, set earlier in the month by Don Drysdale of the Dodgers.
  • 1993 Hall of Fame (1969) catcher Roy Campanella passes away at 71 after suffering a heart attack in Woodland Hills (CA). The wheel-chair-bound former Brooklyn Dodgers backstop, permanently disabled in a 1958 traffic accident, ten-year career included three NL MVP seasons, 242 home runs, 856 RBIs, and five World Series appearances.
  • 1999 At Candlestick Park, Todd Hundley’s second homer of the day, a ninth inning three-run shot to deep right field off Giants’ closer Robb Nen, sparks the Dodgers’ 7-6 comeback win. Ellis Burks had put San Francisco ahead in the bottom of the eighth, 6-4, with a three-run homer off Alan Mills.
  • 2011 Three days after Jim Riggleman’s sudden resignation, the Nationals name senior advisor Davey Johnson as the team’s manager for the remainder of the season. The 68 year-old former skipper compiled an 1148-888 (.564) record during his 14 years in the dugout with the Mets, Dodgers, Reds, and Orioles, finishing lower than third place on only three occasions.

Lineups when available.