In what was a rematch of the 2017 World Series, the Houston Astros once again got the better of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the series opener at Dodger Stadium on Friday night, hanging on for a 2-1 victory.
Both starting pitchers turned in solid performances, although it was Justin Verlander that stole the night by tying a career high with 14 strikeouts in 7.2 innings of work, allowing just four hits, one walk and one run.
Alex Wood took the loss, but only gave up four hits and two runs (one earned) in six innings. He struck out four, but did walk three and hit two batters.
Overall, Wood was pleased with how he pitched in the outing, although he is still working to improve his command, via SportsNet LA:
“It’s been weird because I feel like my last couple, my stuff has been the best it’s been consistently. It’s just kind of like dotting and nasty, or just a little erratic. I’ve been working on some things of getting my hand up. I think it’s really helped with the quality of my stuff. I think my command is hurt a little bit from that, but the direction I’ve been heading in and the quality of my stuff, I feel really good about.”
This was the first loss that Wood took since June 9, and he has given up three runs or less in all nine of his starts since then, so he clearly has been on a bit of a roll as of late.
He was removed from Friday’s outing due to a hamstring cramping issue while warming up to pitch the seventh inning, although Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said it was just precautionary.
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