LA battery charged up in San Diego

To the uninitiated, the pitcher and catcher in a baseball game are referred to as a battery.

The term was first used in the 1860s, referring to the battery of weapons and artillery power used in war.

It's an old school baseball term not used too often. Now and then it makes its way into broadcasts and baseball discussions.

Last night, the Dodgers' battery of southpaw Alex Wood and catcher Austin Barnes were high voltage.

Wood, who came over from Atlanta in 2015, is having the season of his life. Wood went six innings, gave up only one run on two hits and struck out eight Padres. He ran his record to 9-0 and dropped his ERA to 1.82 over his 72 innings pitched in 12 starts.

Wood started the season in the bullpen but has emerged as the solid No. 2 starter in the rotation.

Wood's pitching motion reminds me of a wounded stork as he uncoils from his windup but once into his pitching motion he looks like money. 

His battery mate, Barnes, also had a night to remember. The third-year player from Riverside, California had cups of coffee in 2015 and 2016 before moving into the backup catcher role this year with the departure of A.J. Ellis.

Barnes took full advantage of the opportunity to spell Yasmani Grandal, delivering a first inning grand slam and a sixth inning three-run blast to lead the Dodgers to a 10-4 win over San Diego.

The Dodgers finished the month of June with a sizzling 21-7 mark and clubbed a team-record 53 home runs.