In the view of Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, allowing Alex Wood to pitch into the eighth inning on Sunday against the Nationals with his pitch count already climbing high wasn’t a matter of Wood taking a big step.
“I didn’t want to use anyone else but him,” Gonzalez said Monday. “Have you been watching us? He’s out best reliever.”
Wood is actually a starter but Gonzalez’s point is that his bullpen has been struggling lately and Wood is his best option in that situation. Also, Gonzalez said good starting pitchers can finish a game as well as many relief pitchers while mentioning aces present and past such as Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling and Clayton Kershaw
Wood, 23, isn’t on the same level as those pitchers—he has just 27 starts in the majors—but Gonzalez likes his competitiveness and preparation. So he sent Wood back out for the top of the eighth inning against Washington with his pitch count at 114.
Wood walked Jayson Werth on six pitches before striking out Adam LaRoche with four pitches. David Carpenter relieved Wood and got Ian Desmond to hit into an inning-ending double play, and closer Craig Kimbrel saved the victory.
Gonzalez said it was important that Wood helped provide a bridge to Kimbrel.
“Not to diminish the bullpen because we have a couple guys on the back end who are pretty good but there are sometimes they are not available,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said LaRoche was the last batter Wood was going to face regardless of the outcome. He said he doesn’t expect any residual effects for Wood though it could mean a shorter stint in his next start.
“Next start don’t come to me and say, ‘Why did you take him out in the sixth, he had 95 pitches?’” Gonzalez said. “That’s the one we’ve got to keep an eye on, especially a young pitcher.”
Wood improved to 8-9 with a 3.08 ERA this season.
