Wood goes 7 to win 8th, Giants beat Cardinals 5-2

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Alex Wood pitched seven strong innings of three-hit ball, and the San Francisco Giants beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2 on Wednesday night.

Darin Ruf homered for San Francisco. Mike Yastrzemski and Donovan Solano both doubled in runs as the Giants avoided a three-game sweep.

San Francisco had lost six of nine but still owns the best record in the majors at 54-32 with three games left before the All-Star break.

“(Wood) takes the responsibility of pitching well when we’re not at our best very seriously,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “What was different in tonight’s game was he had all of his pitches working well. He had good command and control of all three of his pitches and mixed it up well. That was a pretty gritty and tough outing from him. It was exactly what we needed.”

Dylan Carson had two hits for St. Louis.

Wood (8-3) set down 19 of 22 after allowing Nolan Arenado’s two-out RBI double in the first. The Giants lefty had six strikeouts and two walks and won for the first time in four career starts against the Cardinals.

“I thought we had a good plan going in,” Wood said. “I felt like I commanded my fastball really well and stuck the slider. Good overall night, that’s for sure. Games like that are important. I was happy to come out and do my job tonight.”

Tyler Rogers retired three batters. Jake McGee pitched the ninth for his 17th save.

St. Louis starter Johan Oviedo (0-5) couldn’t overcome a shaky start. Eight of Oviedo’s first nine pitches were balls and the Giants first run came when the right-hander hit Jason Vosler with the bases loaded.

Oviedo, who is winless in his first 16 career starts, allowed two runs and three hits in four innings.

“You’re seeing a guy that’s still working on...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Wood-goes-7-to-win-8th-Giants-beat-Cardinals-5-2-16300163.php