Alex Wood is in his fifth Major League season. He’s pitched out of the bullpen to varying degrees in all but one year — 2015. Wood was squeezed out of the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation at the start of the season. He’s gone on to become their best starter behind Clayton Kershaw.
Wood pitched well in his relief appearances and carried that into starts when Rich Hill’s recurring blister twice opened a window of opportunity. On Friday night at Great American Ball Park, Wood turned in arguably the best start of his career.
If not for a Devin Mesoroco home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, the 26-year-old would have gone eight scoreless innings.