Dodgers 5, Reds 1: A Win!!!

Man, does this one feel good.

Nine days after their last win, the Dodgers got exactly the performance they needed out of Alex Wood. Wood, much like the rest of the Dodger trade deadline acquisitions, has struggled since coming out west. However, Wood went five 2/3 very strong innings, allowing four hits and walking three while striking out four. He gave up a single run.

Aug 19, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Alex Wood (57) returns to the dugout after being removed from the game during the sixth inning of the game against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s talk about that run, which scored after Wood was pulled for Chris Hatcher. Wood was at 88 pitches and had just given up a 2-out single to Brandon Phillips, which brought up the right handed hitting Todd Frazier. The Dodgers were up 5-0, Wood had a shutout going and there wasn’t any immediate danger. WHY PULL HIM?? The telecast showed him telling manager Don Mattingly that he had it. Mattingly pulls him for Hatcher (which I actually don’t hate), and Hatcher gives up a sharp grounder to third that gets past Justin Turner‘s dive. Why not let Wood try to get the out? If he gives up a run, oh well. If he gives up a homer, pull him in the 5-2 game and let a reliever take over with the bases empty.

That was really the only thing to be upset about in this game, as the Dodgers actually looked pretty good. Of course, this win doesn’t count in the standings because the Reds are under .500, but the offense got to John Lamb early. The first two hitters, Jimmy Rollins and Yasiel Puig, each doubled to score the first run. Justin Turner hit a two-run homer in the third, and Jimmy Rollins hit a two run homer in the sixth.

Juan Nicasio made his first appearance since August 9th and breezed through the first two batters before Joey Votto worked a walk and Phillips singled. Nicasio then walked the bases loaded and was pulled for Luis Avilan to face a lefty Jay Bruce. This was good Mattingly, as he took out Nicasio (who should be a ROOGY) for a lefty, who struck out Bruce to end the threat.

Wins are fun. Keep doing that IMO. Go Cubs! A Cubs win tonight in SF puts the Dodgers 2.5 ahead of the Giants.