The Los Angeles Dodgers got the better of Alex Wood and pulled to one game within the San Francisco Giants with a 2-1 win in the first meeting between the teams this season. The Dodgers extended their winning streak to five games and are 9-1 in their last 10.
Heading into the matchup, manager Dave Roberts said the Dodgers needed to avoid hitting the ball on the ground, which Wood excels at. The left-hander held the edge early as he struck out three and induced three grounders through two scoreless innings.
Having previously opened the game with a walk, Mookie Betts doubled with one out in the third inning to reach for a second time in as many plate appearances. That was followed by Chris Taylor digging out a slider down in the zone for a two-run home run to straightaway center field.
The Dodgers threatened to add to their lead in the fourth when Gavin Lux and Sheldon Neuse connected on back-to-back singles. However, they were stranded by DJ Peters and Trevor Bauer. Betts and Justin Turner also reached on base hits in the fifth inning, but Albert Pujols grounded into a double play.
After Lux doubled and Peters was intentionally walked in the sixth, Bauer nearly made the Giants pay for that decision but his line drive into right field resulted in a 9-3 to end the inning.
Despite allowing eight hits, Wood kept San Francisco in the game by holding the Dodgers to just two runs over six innings.
Bauer tries to carry Dodgers
Wood’s effectiveness paid off in some regard as Bauer finally stumbled on his attempt to work out of a jam. With two runners on via walk, Bauer knocked down a chopper and calmly recovered.
But his throw to first base that would’ve ended the threat sailed wide, allowing a run to come across before he could get out of the inning.
Up to 113 pitches and the Dodgers saddled by a short bullpen, Bauer remained in the game to start the seventh. He issued a leadoff walk and struck out Mike Tauchman before giving way to Nate Jones.
Bauer threw 126 pitches, which is the most of any player this season, and one shy of tying a career high.
Nate Jones finished off the inning and also worked a clean eighth to get the ball to Blake Treinen for the save.
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