MINNEAPOLIS -- Alex Wood opened the Giants’ series in Minnesota on Friday, looking to rebound from his worst start of the season while trying to keep San Francisco alive in the National League Wild Card race.
Wood struggled again and the Twins put another dent in the Giants’ postseason hopes in a 9-0 loss, another frustrating defeat.
Wood (8-11) surrendered eight runs in just three innings. He gave up six hits -- including two homers -- and had four strikeouts.
“I just think this time, the guys need me to step up, and two bad ones in a row,” Wood said. “Pretty frustrating overall.”
The veteran left-hander has now allowed 15 earned runs over his past two starts, spanning 7 2/3 innings. Minnesota jumped on Wood early, with Carlos Correa hitting a first-inning, two-run homer after Wood hit leadoff batter Kyle Garlick with a pitch.
The Twins then added six more runs in the third, including a three-run double by Gilberto Celestino and a two-run homer by Gary Sánchez.
“Just balls were in the middle of the plate,” manager Gabe Kapler said. “Threw a lot of strikes, didn’t walk anybody, but caught a lot of plate and they were able to drive those balls. The Correa hit was the first blow, but there were several of those and they put some good swings on them.”
The eight runs allowed match a career high for Wood, equaling the total from his start on Sept. 27, 2015, at Colorado. It also tied the most allowed in a game by a Giants starter this season, previously done by Carlos Rodón, on May 15 in St. Louis.
“I think it’s a lack of command at times for Alex,” Kapler said. “The most important thing that he can do is work fast and know his plan, pound the zone. He’s doing that effectively. But it’s not enough when he’s in the middle of the plate. He’s as tough as they come, as competitive as they come. He’s going to get ready for his next start.”
Wood’s teammates also expect a rebound.
“He’s a savage grinder, he’ll bounce back,” outfielder Joc Pederson said. “But those are some tough ones. I believe in him. He’s done it his whole career and he’s going to continue to do it for a long time. He’s a really good pitcher.”
After Friday’s game, Wood didn’t have much of a specific idea on what went wrong. He said he’ll take a closer look when returning to the stadium on Saturday.
“I’m just disheartened with the whole thing, for sure,” Wood said.
Friday’s performance all around led to a disappointed team. Along with Wood’s struggles, the offense managed just four hits.
A walk and a double had two runners in scoring position with one out in the second against Minnesota starter Joe Ryan, but a popout and lineout ended the inning.
“There’s no excuses,” Pederson said. “We’ve got to play better and put up more runs. Losing sucks and it’s pretty frustrating.”