SAN FRANCISCO – Alex Wood just wanted to find a nice rhythm on the mound again in his return from a bout with coronavirus, to continue working toward feeling at full strength come playoff time.
Curt Casali hit a two-run single in the fourth inning that held up, Wood made an impressive three-inning comeback from COVID-19, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Atlanta Braves 2-0 on Saturday night.
Wood struck out four and didn’t walk a batter or allow a hit in three scoreless innings, throwing 37 pitches in his first start for San Francisco since Aug. 26. Zack Littell (4-0) relieved and struck out the side in the fourth.
“I could have gone back out for the fourth, but they’re looking at the longtime picture as far as the rest of the season and the postseason, and making sure I’m back and good to stay,” Wood said. “That was a decision (Giants manager Gabe Kapler) made. But thankful for three innings, thankful for this team win.”
It marked a significant step for Wood, who dealt with a fever for seven straight days and was in bed for a full week while his wife also got very sick. He has declined to share his vaccination status.