Los Angeles Dodgers: The ten best moments of the first half

7. Austin Barnes sends Ross Stripling to the races – May 9 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

Although it may be one of the lower things ranked on this list, this is one of my personal favorite moments from the first half due to the hilarious sight of watching Ross Stripling run. On May 9 the Dodgers were squaring off against the Pirates, this was the second game of the series and was in the early stages of this hot streak that we have seen from them this season.

Young sensation Julio Urias took a no-hitter into the seventh in this game before Andrew McCutchen sent a ground-rule double down the left field line. This also was the play that ruled Andrew Toles out for the season as he tore his right ACL attempting to preserve Urias’ no-hit bid.

After this the game sort of unraveled for the Dodgers. They allowed two runs in the seventh to tie the game and then one more run in the eighth to lose the lead. However, in typical Dodger fashion, they managed to tie it up in the ninth with a single from Cody Bellinger. Then, after failing to capitalize on their ninth inning rally, Austin Barnes delivered the game-winning double in the tenth.

After a leadoff single from Yasmani Grandal, Dave Roberts decided to do the unthinkable and switch the slow running Grandal with bullpen arm Ross Stripling. With Barnes set to pinch hit for Jansen later in the inning this was setting the table for a double switch.

Then, with two out, Barnes sent a rope to the right-center gap. Stripling, who had only gotten on base four times in his MLB career, turned on the burners and went from first to third, winning the game.