The Dodgers did all sorts of damage in the third, sending 10 batters to the plate in scoring six runs, as they went on to beat the Diamondbacks, 7-4. Despite Chad Billingsley's best efforts to hand a huge lead right back, the offense was too much.
Josh Collmenter was the starter against the Dodgers, and he was hit around in his last start against them on July 29. This time would be no different. He actually got plenty of help in getting out of the first without any damage. A couple of great catches did the trick.
With one out, Casey Blake and Andre Ethier hit singles. Matt Kemp then lifted a long fly to right that was just tracked down at the wall by Justin Upton for two down. Juan Rivera took a walk to set things up for Aaron Miles, who hit a sinking fly ball that was caught on a diving sprawl by Gerardo Parra in left.
The third inning is when the Dodgers went off in a big way. It all started on a perfect bunt single by Dee Gordon. Sure enough, he stole second in no time. Blake then singled to Upton, who kicked the ball, allowing Gordon to score for the 1-0 lead. A passed ball sent Blake to second, and Ethier went opposite field for an RBI double and 2-0 lead. Kemp things going with a single for runners on the corners.
Rivera came through with an RBI single, making it 3-0. Miles lifted a long fly that was caught on the warning track by Upton, but Kemp easily scored. Micah Owings relieved Collmenter and immediately watched Rod Barajas smack a two-run double, ending the damage at 6-0.
Now here's the funny part about having a big lead with Billingsley on the mound: he just can't handle it. For whatever reason, he has made a career out of looking golden for the beginning of the game, and then completely falling apart in the mid-late innings. Would Friday night be any different? Uh, no.
Through five innings, Billingsley gave up only three hits and a walk with no runs. In the sixth, Upton tripled and scored on Chris Young's sac-fly RBI, cutting the score to 6-1. Still, one run in six innings was great, and surely he could cruise the rest of the way, right? Uh, no.
The Diamondbacks gave Don Mattingly even more grey hairs in the seventh. Ryan Roberts walked leading off, which is the worst thing that could happen with a big lead. Peter Goldschmidt singled on an 0-2 pitch right down the middle, and Parra's single made it 6-2. Sean Burroughs pinch-hit and loaded the bases with a single.
Thankfully Mattingly yanked Billingsley's sorry butt, though I thought it came a couple hitters too late. Matt Guerrier allowed Willie Bloomquist to drive in one with an RBI single, and it was 6-3. Scott Elbert relieved to pitch to the lefty Cody Ransom, and it worked as Ransom struck out.
Now Mike MacDougal entered and was in charge of getting Upton out with the bases loaded and one down. Upton lined a hard one, but Gordon made a fantastic diving catch and easily flipped to second for the double play. Boy am I glad he's back up where he belongs.
Both teams traded runs in the eighth. Barajas continued his big game with a solo homer, his 10th of the season, and it was 7-3. He's been swinging a much better bat lately, as he continues to split time with Dioner Navarro behind the plate.
The bottom of the eighth was also interesting, as MacDougal went back to some old habits with control problems. He walked Young leading off, and as he was then trying to steal second, MacDougal threw the ball into center on an attempted pickoff. Miguel Montero's sac-fly RBI made it 7-4. Javy Guerra got the last out of the inning by striking out Parra on a nasty breaking ball.
Guerra would stay on in the ninth to earn his 10th save, getting Upton to fly to Kemp to end the game. Who would have thought that his guy would be 10-10 in save opportunities with a 1.69 ERA? He's been amazing.
I'll focus on the good of this game first. The offense obviously got to Collmenter early and often. They could have very well scored a few runs in the first, but they didn't let that affect them as the game wore on. The third inning was a great example of small ball, sacrifices, and clutch hitting, all without the aid of a home run.
Now, the bad. And that would be Mr. Billingsley. To say I've seen about enough of him would be an understatement. To me, he is what he is at this point, and he's not a very good starting pitcher. Sure, he has great stuff and SHOULD be better. But you know what? He's not. Time and time again he's shown that he can't pitch deep into games, and no lead is big enough for him.
If the Dodgers had more options for starting pitchers, then I would seriously consider putting him in the bullpen. Make him a long reliever or someone who can get you a couple innings late in the game. But as a starting pitcher? Constant underachievement. There's no reason whatsoever this game should have been as close as it was. But that's the way it is with him.
All of that aside, the Dodgers have a great opportunity to play spoiler this weekend, even if it does mean helping out the hated Giants. With Rubby De La Rosa out for the year (and then some), the Dodgers have promoted Nathan Eovaldi for Saturday's start. He went 6-5 with a 2.62 ERA in Double-A Chattanooga. Let's see what he can do.
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