Alex Wood Wipes Out the Reds as Dodgers Bounce Back With 3-1 Win

Alex Wood threw eight sensational innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers bounced back after they saw their six-game win-streak snapped with a 3-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at Great American Ball Park.

When one door closes another opens.

Alex Wood threw eight sensational innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers bounced back after they saw their six-game win-streak snapped with a 3-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at Great American Ball Park. 

The Dodgers saw their season-high six-game winning-streak snapped on Thursday after a lopsided loss to the Cleveland Indians. However, after a trip south to Cincinnati the boys in blue bounced back with a win as they look to start a new winning-streak before headed home to Los Angeles for a nine-game homestand.

Joc Pederson hit his first home run since he was activated off the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday.

Pederson finished 2-for-3 with a home run, double, RBI and two runs scored and appears to be back after struggling at the plate before his DL stint.

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After a three-run home run surrendered by relief pitcher Josh Fields spoiled Alex Wood's last start against the Reds at Dodger Stadium, the left-hander continued his dominance this season.

Wood (7-0) remained perfect on the season and lowered his ERA to 1.90 after allowing just one run on four hits with no walks and five strikeouts in eight innings.

"It was huge for us," manager Dave Roberts told the media of Wood's outing. "We expected him to throw the baseball well. He was dominant against one of the best offensive teams. He was on the attack from the beginning."

Ironically, it was Cincinnati catcher Devin Mesoraco who did the damage as he drilled a solo shot off Wood in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Overall, Wood has gone 10 consecutive starts without a loss this season, tied for the second longest streak (Dallas Keuchel -13) for the most in the Major Leagues.

The last Dodgers' starting pitcher to open the season with 10 or more consecutive wins without a loss was Orel Hershiser in 1985 (11 straight).

Wood also improved to 3-0 lifetime with a 2.26 ERA against the Big Red Machine.

Wood also helped his own cause at the plate, with a crucial insurance run in the eighth inning. With two outs and a runner on base, Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts had a pinch-hitter for Wood in the on-deck circle.

The move was merely a ploy and a bit of gamesmanship as once Yasiel Puig walked, Roberts quickly sent Wood back to the batter's box. Wood rewarded his manager with an RBI single down the right field line to give the Dodgers a 3-0 lead.

"It was a little bit of gamesmanship on my part," admitted Roberts. "I knew the whole time Alex Wood was going to bat."

Chris Taylor went 1-for-4 with an RBI double and Kenley Jansen remained a perfect 14-for-14 on save attempts this season as he struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth to hand the Reds their seventh straight loss.

Los Angeles could move into a first place tie with the Colorado Rockies for first place in the N.L. West as the San Francisco Giants where ahead at Coors Field as of the publication of this story.

Up Next:

Hyun-Jin Ryu gets the start on Saturday against RHP Asher Wojciechowski at 1:10PM PST.

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