Alex Wood roars back to lead Dodgers to 2-0 win over Rockies

Sleepy boys all, they were back, game as could be expected for a couple of teams that had played 16 innings the previous night.

The advantage on this night, however, went to the starting pitchers, who typically leave early the night prior to a scheduled start.

And no one on the field Wednesday looked more rested and sharp than Dodgers left-hander Alex Wood, who turned in what can only be considered a remarkable performance.

In his last start, he allowed eight runs on eight hits in just 1 2/3 innings. He was just a tad better Wednesday – all he did was hold the Rockies scoreless on one hit in his eight innings of the Dodgers’ 2-0 victory before a Dodger Stadium crowd of 45,906.

The victory reduced the Dodgers’ magic number to 10 for clinching the National League West and increased their lead over the Mets – their likely first-round playoff opponent – to 1½ games.

Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly utilized what he called a “weird” lineup, but he got a solo home run from A.J. Ellis off Jorge De La Rosa in the second inning and an Austin Barnes double and Corey Seager RBI single in the sixth to produce the game’s only runs.

The rest was left to Wood, who turned it what was easily his best performance as a Dodger, and closer Kenley Jansen, who gave up a single but pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his 32nd save.

Mattingly called on Jansen even though Wood needed only 78 pitches to get through his eight innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out five. He was in control from the first pitch.

The only hit Colorado managed against Wood came in the second when left-fielder Kyle Parker singled cleanly to center. Wood then retired his last 19 consecutive batters.

Wood went to 11-10 and lowered his ERA to 3.63 with the win.

After taking five hours and 23 minutes to complete Tuesday’s marathon, the Dodgers and Rockies got Wednesday’s affair over in a brisk 2 hours and 3 minutes.