After the Dodgers' recent string of victories on the road, maybe being away from the friendly confines of Dodger Stadium is just what this team needs.
They only went 4-5 on their recent homestand, but have taken 6 of their last 7 on the road after defeating the Houston Astros yesterday, 5-2. The win gets them to within 1.5 games of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The story of the game was another strong starting pitching performance, this time by Chad Billingsley, who finds himself over the .500 mark for the first time this season. He was dominant, going 8 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K. If not for a shaky start to the season, he would be talked about much more as one of the top pitchers in the league. He hasn't given up an earned run in the last 17 innings, covering 3 games.
The Dodgers got on the board in the 1st, something they have done in each game against the Astros. With 2 outs, Russell Martin singled, and Jeff Kent walked. James Loney found a perfect spot for a bloop, 2-run ground-rule double down the left field line. Blake DeWitt, in a horrible 3-25 stretch, smacked a 2-run single for a 3-0 lead.
That's all Billingsley would need, but the Dodgers made sure to tack on a couple more. In the 3rd, Andre Ethier hit his 9th homer of the year, and 2nd in as many games. Perhaps he's starting to heat up, as he has 3 since June 27. Keep in mind that this is the Dodgers we're talking about, so that is a pretty big deal.
In the 5th, the Astros finally scored, but that was right after an error by 2nd baseman Luis Maza allowed the inning to continue with 2 outs. Maza came in when Jeff Kent left with lower back stiffness, something that the Dodgers certainly don't need, because he found his stroke in his old stomping grounds of Houston.
Loney finished off his big day by hitting a solo homer in the 6th, his 7th of the year, topping off a 2-3 with 2 RBI day. He was the only Dodger with multiple hits, but they did take 5 walks and have 3 extra-base hits. Maybe they should look to play in Houston more often.
Now the Dodgers need to capitalize on their better play as of late and take care of the Giants. The teams haven't met since the opening series of the year, where the Dodgers took 2 of 3. It's a good pitching matchup today, as Derek Lowe goes against Jonathan Sanchez, another good, young pitcher for the Giants.
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