If you blinked, you missed it.
That's how quickly and easily the Braves seemed to erase a 2-0 deficit and turn it into a 7-2 lead in only one inning. Needless to say, the Dodgers got knocked down and never recovered, as the Braves took this one, 9-3. The Padres also lost, so the Dodgers blew a chance to claim first place in the NL West.
Much like the night before, the Dodgers scored early, had great starting pitching, then hit a wall late. The previous night it was Clayton Kershaw who couldn't get out of the seventh, and this time it was Chad Billingsley. As has been the case with Billingsley, he can be cruising all game, and then he'll get pounded for an inning. Saturday night was the textbook example.
It was Billingsley's bat that put the Dodgers in the lead to start with. In the second, Blake DeWitt singled with two outs. Billingsley then cranked an RBI double to center, his first of the year.
Matt Kemp opened up the third with a triple, his third this season. Andre Ethier lifted a fly ball to left that was deep enough to bring home Kemp and make it 2-0.
Although Billingsley didn't give up a run through six innings, there were signs that it was only a matter of time. He got through the first and sixth in order, but walked two in the second, gave up two hits in the third, and singles in both the fourth and fifth. Each time, he made big pitches to avoid trouble.
Then in the seventh, it all fell apart. Consecutive singles by Yunel Escobar and Nate McClouth started it. Brooks Conrad pinch-hit for Tommy Hanson and hit an infield single that scored Escobar to make it 2-1. At 110 pitches and already given up three hits, Ramon Troncoso came in from the bullpen.
That obviously didn't work out, as Troncoso was hit around with ease. Martin Prado sacrificed both men into scoring position, and Omar Infante's two-run single put the Braves up 3-2. Brian McCann soon followed with a two-run double. Then Ronald Belisario came on and gave up a two-run homer to Troy Glaus. All in all, it was 7-2 Braves.
McCann added a two-run single the next inning for good measure. Rafael Furcal scored a run on an infield single in the ninth, but it was obviously way too little way too late.
Every team goes through good wins and bad losses throughout the season. The Dodgers have had many good wins lately after starting the year very poorly. Last night was definitely a bad loss. They had a good team down in the seventh and then got smacked around. While Billingsley started it all, the normally reliable bullpen was terrible.
Of course, scoring three runs won't do them any favors. And really, the last run meant nothing, so it was as if they scored a couple. They got 11 hits, but left 10 on base. Six of those runners were left in scoring position with two outs. The lack of clutch hitting burned them in the end.
It's a good thing the Dodgers came back and won on Friday, or the Braves would be looking for a four-game sweep today. Nonetheless, John Ely has a chance to earn a split against Tim Hudson. With a day game after a night game, look for guys like Manny Ramirez and perhaps Rafael Furcal to get the day off.
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