The Dodgers had lost their last two series against the Marlins and Cardinals, something they have not been used to doing this year.
Matt Kemp and Chad Billingsley made sure the same didn't happen against the Braves.
Billingsley was fantastic over five innings before leaving with a cramp in his right hamstring, Kemp went for five RBIs, and the Dodgers rolled to an easy one, 9-1. Thanks to some great starting pitching, the Dodgers took two of three.
Over the first five innings, Billingsley was simply dominant. He gave up only two hits and one walk while striking out nine. His breaking stuff was nasty. It was good to see him pitch with such confidence and effectiveness after going through some rocky waters lately.
His injury came in the bottom of the fifth when his right leg seemed to buckle on him during his follow through. After a visit from the trainer, he ended up finishing the inning. He wanted to get right back out there to hit, but Joe Torre had other, and better, ideas.
Jair Jurrjens was just as good over four innings, as he was able to wiggle out of trouble with runners on. The Dodgers put men on in each of those innings to no success, including Billingsley striking out with the bases loaded in the fourth.
In the fifth, they finally came through, and all with two down. Manny Ramirez started it by singling up the middle, and James Loney also singled. Matt Kemp launched a hanger out to dead center for the three-run shot, his 14th of the season. That big fly broke the game wide open.
Russell Martin then doubled, which set up Mark Loretta's RBI double. At 4-0 after four, the Dodgers never looked back.
With Billingsley not allowed back to play, Jason Schmidt of all people pinch-hit... and singled! Loney cracked a double that brought the big man around to score, making it 5-0 after six innings.
Three more runs were added for fun in the eighth. Manny was given an intentional walk to load the bases with one out, and Loney grounded out to score a run. Kemp then hit a two-run single to complete his big night. A ground rule double by Orlando Hudson in the ninth closed out the scoring.
Once Bills exited, Scott Elbert pitched well, giving up a run in 2 and 2/3 innings. Guillermo Mota gave up an RBI single in his only batter faced in the eighth, and George Sherrill got Chipper Jones to fly to center. Ramon Troncoso pitched a scoreless ninth, striking out Matt Diaz to end the game.
After dropping the first three in St. Louis, the Dodgers won their last three of four to right the ship. The Rockies and Giants are still not losing much, so to still own a seven game lead over them is pretty impressive. The Dodgers are still refusing to give them much, if any, hope in the West.
The schedule makers didn't really do the Dodgers much of a favor, as they made the cross-country trip back home to start a home set against the Brewers tonight. The red-hot Clayton Kershaw goes tonight, looking for his ninth win.
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