DUNEDIN, Fla.—It's better for big-league pitchers to dominate this late in the spring but, failing that, there's also some benefit in working situations situations that are as close to real as possible.
From that perspective, Braves left-handed Alex Wood’s outing against the Blue Jays on Saturday was valuable. He gave up three runs on seven hits over six innings but also managed to limit the damage in some key situations.
“It was nice to see him get out of those jams and get through those things,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “Sometimes when you go one-two-three, one-two-three every single time it’s a little different. You don’t get the adrenaline and the juices flowing. Today he faced a really good, right-handed dominant lineup and he did great.”
Josh Donaldson got a one-out single in the second but Wood retired the next two batters. Jose Bautista knocked a two-out, two-run double off of Wood in the third inning but was left stranded when Wood got Josh Donaldson to fly out. Russell Martin added an RBI single in the fifth but the Braves ended the ending on a double play started by left fielder Pedro Ciriaco.
Wood struck out two batters and walked one.
“I thought it was good, for the most part,” Wood said. “I think I am getting closer. They hit a lot of ground balls. They hit a couple hard but, overall, I thought it was good. I think I get that next one and I will be right where I need to be. I think I will be a little crisper.”
Wood hadn’t appeared in a Grapefruit League game since March 16 and said it felt “like an eternity” since he’d pitched even though he threw in a minor-league game a week ago. He said minor-league games aren’t as taxing because, unconsciously, the lower stakes influence effort and mentality.
Wood is scheduled for a final, shorter outing in the Grapefruit League before starting April 7 at Miami.
“I know I’m chomping at the bit,” Wood said. “It’s coming down to the end.”
