July 5, 2017

Alex Wood pitched seven shutout innings to improve to 10-0 on the season, as the Dodgers blanked the D’Backs 1-0 on Wednesday night at the Ravine.

Wood gave up just three hits, struck out ten, and walked two during an efficient 85-pitch performance.

The only run of the game came on an RBI double from Yasmani Grandal in the 2nd inning, which scored Chris Taylor from 1st base.  That came off of D’Backs starter Zack Godley.

Wood became the first Dodgers starter to reach 10-0 since Don Newcombe in 1955.  He was well aware of how important the game was.

“I don’t know how often you get two teams that are 50-plus wins before the All-Star break playing against each other, especially in the same division,” Wood said. “It felt a little bit bigger tonight. Tensions were a little bit higher, especially in a 1-0 ballgame.”

Kenley Jansen pitched the 9th for his 20th save of the season.  Brandon Drury reached base on a two-out single, but Jansen struck out Chris Herrmann to end the game.

Godley fell to 3-3 on the season.  He gave up one run and three hits in 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander struck out six and walked one.

The Dodgers got just one hit after the 2nd inning.  It was a double from Corey Seager in the 8th inning.

Since Clayton Kershaw is slated to start Sunday’s game against Kansas City, Wood is a strong candidate to pitch in the All-Star game next week as a replacement for the Dodger ace.

The win also moved the Dodgers 4.5 games ahead of the D’Backs in the NL West, further extending LA’s first place lead.

The Dodgers will go up for the sweep on Thursday night at the Ravine.  Rich Hill (5-4, 4.00 ERA) goes for the Boys in Blue.  Robbie Ray (8-4, 3.06 ERA) will be on the mound for Arizona.