The Los Angeles Dodgers looked to snap a five-game losing streak Monday night, as they hosted the Oakland Athletics at Camelback Ranch.
Offense was at a premium in this game, as the only three Dodgers runs came in the bottom of the seventh and eighth, courtesy of solo home runs by Cody Bellinger, Joc Pederson and Trayce Thompson to give the Dodgers a 3-1 victory.
The Dodgers suffered a scare in the bottom of the first inning though, as All-Star third baseman Justin Turner was hit with a pitch on his left hand/wrist area. He went down in pain and was immediately removed from the game and taken to get X-rays.
While the team’s thoughts were with Turner, there was still a game to be played as Alex Wood got the start for the Dodgers. Wood brought his ‘A’ game against the Athletics, as he tossed five shutout innings, allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out seven on 70 pitches.
It looked as if Wood was about to give up a run in the fourth inning, as he gave up a two-out single to Dustin Fowler with runners at first and second. The right fielder, Thompson, conceded the run to home and threw to third.
The throw was a perfect one, as he nailed the runner to end the inning. Even better was that the tag on the runner at third took place just before the runner crossed home plate, so the run did not count.
Athletics start Kendall Graveman matched Wood pitch for pitch, as he gave up just two hits in 5.1 shutout innings, striking out seven. Both hits were singles by Dodgers leadoff man Logan Forsythe.
Dodgers relievers Kenley Jansen, J.T. Chargois and Pedro Baez kept the shutout going as they each tossed perfect frames in the sixth, seventh and eighth. Jansen didn’t have any strikeouts, while Chargois struck out the side and Baez struck out one.
Pat Venditte could not hold the shutout in the top of the ninth, as he gave up a leadoff home run to Chad Pinder. He still was able to close the game out though, completing the 3-1 victory.
