By Jon Weisman
Alex Wood absolutely sparkled for the Dodgers tonight, using only 78 pitches to complete eight shutout innings and allowing only one baserunner — a two-out, second-inning single by Kyle Parker. Wood struck out five, never needing more than 13 pitches in an inning, and retired the final 19 batters he faced.
In his past three starts, Wood has sandwiched 15 shutout innings around 1 2/3 innings in which he allowed six earned runs.
Wood is the fourth Dodger pitcher to throw eight innings of one-hit ball this year, following Mike Bolsinger (May 23), Clayton Kershaw (June 6) and Zack Greinke (July 9). That ties a 50-year-old franchise record, essentially — the 1965 Dodgers also had four pitchers who threw eight innings and didn’t allow more than one hit, if you include Sandy Koufax’s perfect game.
Kenley Jansen, the only Dodger reliever not used in Monday’s 16-inning game, entered the game at exactly the two-hour mark. Eight minutes and one more hit later, it was over, and the Dodgers had reduced their magic number to clinch the National League West to 10 with a 2-0 victory over the Rockies. A.J. Ellis’ homer and Corey Seager’s single drove in the Dodger runs.
dembums55
Great performance by Wood on a night when they needed to get innings from the starter. Can’t believe how efficient he was! Thoughts on why Jansen was used?
Mark Hagerstrom
Just getting some work before the Pirate series. Kenley has been less effective when he rests 5 or more games between appearances.
oldbrooklynfan
I can’t help but feel if a pitcher has less than 90 pitchers in 8 inning he should be given the chance to pitch a complete game.