Chad Billingsley was so Chad Billingsley-like on Monday, it was scary.
For five innings, it was smooth sailing, as Billingsley was spotted a 2-0 lead. Then the sixth inning came, and like countless other times in the past, he hit a wall. The result was a 3-2 deficit, which the Reds eventually ran with to get the win, 8-2.
The game started off promising enough. With two outs in the first, Jerry Hairston, Jr. hit a solo home run to left, his third of the season. The fact that he's hitting in the #3 spot pretty much sums up just how short-handed and desperate Don Mattingly is. No disrespect to Hairston, who's played very well this season, but it's not like he's a typical hitter for that spot.
Another run was added in the second. It started on a single by James Loney. Yes, those words just appeared on your computer screen. Juan Uribe followed with a walk. At this point, I'd like you to try not to fall out of your seat. Both Loney and Uribe reached base consecutively. To quote Dan Dierdorf, "Lord, you can take me now, I've seen it all!"
Anyway, Scott Van Slyke singled to center for what should have been a bases loaded situation for Luis Cruz. But ah, don't fret, it wasn't meant to be. Uribe thought Loney was going to keep running home, when in fact, Loney stayed put at third. Uribe was easily thrown out at second for the first out. Typical.
Cruz was called up to start at short for Dee Gordon, who left Sunday night's game with leg cramps. His sac-fly RBI scored Loney, and it was 2-0.
Billingsley was cruising at this point, as the Reds had four hits through four innings, but nothing to show for it. The first sign of unraveling came in the fifth. With two outs, Zack Cozart stepped up and was beaned in the head. Thankfully he was able to get up, but was still taken out of the game for precautionary reasons. And thankfully again, he's OK. As for Billingsley, he got the next out to keep the lead.
We all should've known that it was only a matter of time before the wheels fell off the bus. And sure enough, they did.
Brandon Phillips led off the sixth with a double, and All-Star Jay Bruce singled for runners in scoring position. Todd Frazier's RBI single made it 2-1. After a groundout, Miguel Cairo also grounded one to third in which Uribe threw home to get Bruce for two down.
Maybe that was the momentum Billingsley needed... but then again, if you thought that, then you don't know Mr. Chad Billingsley! Some guy named Devin Mesoraco stroked a two-run double, and the Reds were now up 3-2.
The game may as well have ended at this point, as the Dodgers flat out stunk after that. It was still only a 3-2 game entering the eighth, but Todd Coffey made sure the fans went home early... which they normally do anyway, but without the drama of wondering whether the Dodgers would win or not.
Bruce was beaned leading off and went to second on a wild pitch. Frazier's RBI triple made it 4-2. Chad Heisey and Cairo both struck out, so there was some hope. And then that hope got flushed down the toilet when Mesoraco singled into left, putting the Reds up 5-2. Jamey Wright had to come in to get Homer Bailey to ground out to end the inning.
Just for fun, the Reds made this game a blowout in the ninth. With Wright still in, Wilson Valdez walked to start. Daniel Stubbs laid down a bunt, and Wright threw it clean into centerfield on a horrible play. Runs were soon scored on Frazier's single, Heisey's fielder's choice, and Cairo's single.
I guess this was a tale of two games, as the Dodgers controlled the first part, but the Reds dominated the second. I know Billingsley wasn't exactly given many runs to work with, but he once again showed why he'll never be a reliable starting pitcher. He lasted six innings for eight hits, three runs, no walks, and eight strikeouts. Not bad numbers, but still not good enough for the win. Even without Joey Votto and Scott Rolen in the lineup, he just isn't capable of stepping up.
Even worse was the work of the bullpen. Josh Lindblom was solid, getting through the seventh to keep it a one-run game. But Coffey and Wright clearly showed why they're the bottom of the pecking order in the 'pen. In two innings of work, they gave up five runs. For Wright, his three runs were unearned, but it was because of his throwing error. So basically, they were earned.
The offense is still on life support, as they weren't even able to hit Bailey. Much like Billingsley, Bailey is one of those guys who always seems like he should be doing better. On Monday night, he gave up two runs in eight innings, striking out seven. Leave it to the Dodgers to put it all together for him.
At this point, the Dodgers are desperately trying to get through this week until the All-Star break hits. Then they can at least count on the return of Matt Kemp, and most likely Mark Ellis and Andre Ethier as well. That means they won't have to rely on guys like Loney and Uribe to score runs. That would be like Christmas morning!
Chris Capuano will look for his 10th win on Tuesday. To do it, he'll probably have to give up -5 runs. And even then it might be close. The Reds counter with Johnny Cueto. Good luck scoring against him.
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