Chad Billingsley needed 31 pitches to record his first out on Sunday. The previous four hitters reached base, and it was 1-0 Nationals with the bases loaded before you could even settle into your seat.
In what was sure looking like a long afternoon, Billingsley struck out the side, and then never looked back. Seven dominant innings led the way as the Dodgers won the rubber match, 3-1. It's their first series win since sweeping the Padres right before the All-Star break.
The first inning was wild all around. Roger Bernadina walked, Danny Espinosa was beaned, and consecutive singles by Ryan Zimmerman and Michael Morse made it 1-0. Just when you thought Billingsley was about get creamed, he struck out Jayson Werth, Rick Ankiel, and Jesus Flores to escape the huge jam.
The Dodgers made sure to get on the board right away and grab the lead. Rafael Furcal, Saturday night's hero with a walk-off double, singled into right with one out. Andre Ethier forced him out at second for the second out, but Matt Kemp kept the inning going with a single. Aaron Miles then singled home Ethier, and Kemp came around as well on some aggressive baserunning to make it 2-1.
With Billingsley completely locked in, the offense got another run in the third. Raffy again started it with a walk and a steal of second, only his fourth of the year. Kemp singled an out later, and Miles walked to load the bases. James Loney then grounded into what should have been an easy double play ball, but Ian Desmond's throw to first was way off, scoring Furcal and giving Loney an RBI for a 3-1 lead.
Billingsley didn't need anymore support, as he was simply electric from the moment he figured things out in the first. In innings 2-7, the only baserunner he allowed was a walk to Werth in the fourth. That, my friends, was it. He was lifted lifted in the eighth after 115 pitches for a final line of seven innings, two hits, one run, two walks, and 10 strikeouts. He improved to 9-8.
Kenley Jansen pitched a perfect eighth to continue his ascent. Since coming off the DL in mid-June, he has yet to allow a run. In fact, he's pitched 14 innings, given up only three hits, seven walks, and 22 strikeouts. It's gone mostly unnoticed since the Dodgers haven't been winning, but it's great to see him become the big arm in late innings his team needs.
The save went to Javy Guerra, another arm in the 'pen that continues to impress. He's now a perfect 7-7 in save situations with a 1.99 ERA. He struck out Werth to end the game.
Dodger fans haven't had a whole lot to be excited about this season, so we have to find reasons to get happy. The combination of Jansen and Guerra is a reason to be optimistic about the future. They both have the stuff to be a good duo to close out games. Two perfect innings today showed what they're capable of. I'm glad they're getting some chances to show they can pitch in tight games and be successful.
Billingsley continues to go up and down in his starts, but his ERA does stand at 3.92 after today's effort. He's definitely not an ace (thankfully Clayton Kershaw is), so the challenge for him is to be that #2 guy. Right now, I'd say he's more of a #3, but games like this show just how good he can be.
The Dodgers are still 13 1/2 in back of the NL West, so the playoffs are thrown out the window. What they can do instead is make life miserable for the teams who are battling it out for an October spot. They take on the Rockies and Diamondbacks next, and after a visit to the Padres, play the DBacks again and the Phillies. So, there's plenty of games in which they can play the old "spoiler" role. I know, not exactly what was envisioned back in April, but at least it's something.
The Rockies will be coming into town for three starting Monday. Rubby De La Rosa will get the start, and despite his ERA continuing to improve, he's on a personal four-game losing streak. He'll look to even things up at 4-4.
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