The week in interesting & unusual stats (May 16-22)

9:54 PM ET

Each Sunday in this space we bring you some of our favorite quirks, oddities and unusual plays from the week in baseball. This week the names are the same, but the feats are unique. Many thanks to our friends at Baseball Reference and the Elias Sports Bureau for research assistance.

Paging Mr. Wood

On Saturday, Alex Wood recorded 13 of the first 18 outs via the “K,” becoming just the fourth Los Angeles Dodger ever to strike out 13 or more in the first six innings. The others on that list are Aaron Harang (2012, also against the Padres), Ramon Martinez (his 18-strikeout game in 1990), and Sandy Koufax (1959).

Meanwhile, Travis Wood pulled off a notable feat this week not by pitching but at the plate. He drew a bases-loaded walk for the deciding run in the Cubs’ 13-inning win over Milwaukee. He became the first Cubs pitcher to draw a bases-loaded walk in extra innings since May 28, 1913! Larry Cheney, who also pitched 11 innings in relief, received a game-ending version in the 17th against the Cardinals.

Lay Down the Matts

Who’s handy with Wood? Why, a Carpenter, of course. Matt Carpenter of the Cardinals had a homer and two doubles Thursday, and is only the fourth player in team history to drive in six runs from the leadoff spot. The others …

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