The Chad billingsley show

Giants     2 2 0
Dodgers  4 7 1
WP-Billingsley-11-8
LP-Zito-8-11
SV-Kuo-8
HR-Barajas-16

Chad Billingsley once again shut down the Giants pitching 8 strong innings allowing only 2 hits and striking out seven. He also contributed with a big hit in the 4th inning, driving in two runs which put the dodgers ahead for good. oh yeah and there was also some other guys on the field behind him who might have been involved.

once again another terrific start by a dodger starting pitcher, and once again another mediocre showing by the bats and the defense. this time though, Bills decided to do everything. Hey I cant say I blame him, after all its not like any of his teammates were going to give him any support

in the bottom of the second with a runner on, Rod Barajas blasted his 4th homerun with the Dodgers and 16th overall. a monster blast halfway up the left field pavillion. way to go Big Rod!. I have to say I like the guy and dont mind him being back next year as a backup catcher. Sure he still sucks his OBP is like in the .280's and he cant throw anyone out on the basepaths, but number 1, he has power, which is something the Dodgers sorley need more of, and number two he is a lifelong Dodger fan who was born and raised out here and dreamed of playing at Dodger stadium. wonderful story. good job Rod and keep up the good work.

with the dodgers up 2-0 entering the fourth inning, Bills was rolling right along, and Prolly would have pitched a shutout had the defense behind him not let him down.

Furcal on an easy grounder bobbled the ball for an error. It was his first game back after being out for a month, and he did make a highlight reel play earlier in the game and get on base with a single, so Ill give him a break. It sure is nice seeing Hit machine (furcal) back in the lineup.
while Furcal Ill give a free pass, Ronnie Belliard will get no free pass from me. he sucks something awful. He cant hit field or run. the next hitter I believe it was sanchez, hit a grounder to first, belliard playing in place of loney with a lefty on the mound, couldnt come up with the routine grounder, it bounced off his glove,(the scorer ruled it an infield single, no way that was a hit) and there were two runners on. with runners at second and third and two outs, Buster Posey stroked the only real hit of the game for the Giants a line drive base hit over Furcal's head, plating two runs, to tie the game. sigh

the dodgers came right back in the fourth, thanks to Zito's wildness and Chad Billingsley taking things into his own hands.
Kemp and blake walked, and then with runners at second and third and two outs, the Giants chose to walk barajas, to load the bases for bills.
bills laced a line drive sinker to right field which bounced inches in front of Jose Guillen's glove. this scored two runs, and put the Dodgers ahead 4-2

Zito was removed in the 5th inning for a pinch hitter after making 72 pitches allowing 4 runs off 4 hits walking 4 and striking out 5.

Bills and the dodgers never really looked back after that.
the Dodgers were a disgusting 1 for 7 with RISP.
the only hit coming from Bills. you know your lineup sucks when your 8th and 9th place hitters drive in all the runs.

the dodger offense 4 runs off 7 hits, 1 extra base hit being the Barajas homer.  while drawing 7 walks.
although Blake had a good game going 2 for 3 with two walks and scoring two runs.

Bills final line was 8 innings, 2 runs (both unearned) 2 hits, 2 walks, and 7 Ks

Kuo pitched a 123 9th inning to earn his 8th save of the year.

I actually heard an interesting stat, about how Zito has trouble with the bottom of the opposing orders. hmmmm interesting, thanks Vinny!

it would be interesting to see how many games Dodger starting pitchers could win when there teammates werent busy booting routine plays in the field, striking out with RISP, or the bullpen blowing games.

on an awsome note the Padres lost to Colorado 4-3, running their losing streak to 8 games!

this leaves the Dodgers 8 games back in both the wild card race, and the division. its always awsome watching the Boys in blue beat the Giants. yessssssssss!!!

game 2 tomorrow night at 710, see you all tomorrow night!