Catcher Joe Nolan , for whom Ayala had pinch - hit , had himself pinch - hit for starting catcher Rick Dempsey in the seventh .
Altobelli was now without either of Catcher 's 's backstops .
Catcher Joe Nolan , for whom Ayala had pinch - hit , had himself pinch - hit for starting catcher Rick Dempsey in the seventh , and Altobelli was now without either of his backstops .