Dodgers Come Back to Snag Win for Bills

Dodgers 4 8 1
Giants    3 8 2
WP Billingsley (1-0)
LP Sanchez (0-1)
S Broxton (2)


Defense was once again the Giants undoing in their second loss to the Dodgers in as many games. Chad Billingsley went out of the game after 6 innings losing 3-1, but the Dodgers battled back for him in the same inning coming out ahead 4-3.

Billingsley started off a bit rocky in the first inning, and gave up a bunt single to Torres and hit Sanchez with the pitch. Torres took 3rd on a force play, but Buster Posey who has been lackluster so far this series hit into an inning ending double play. In the bottom of the first Furcal gets a pop-fly single, but subsequently is thrown out trying to steal second. De Jesus and Ethier both strike out to end the inning. Billingsley then has a 1-2-3 inning in the second. Thames manages a broken bat single, Big Rod singles sending Thames to 3rd, but useless Miles strikes out to end the inning. In the third, Billingsley allows a single to Torres and a walk to Sanchez but strikes out both Tejada and Huff.

The Dodgers score first in the bottom of the 3rd when Billingsley draws a lead-off walk, Furcal strikes out, de Jesus walks, then Ethier's fly ball advances Bills to 3rd on a very heads up play by the pitcher. The Bison then drives a ball over the fence for a ground rule double scoring Bills and giving the Dodgers a lead of 1-0.

In the 4th inning the Giants strike back. Posey singles to right, Sandoval singles up the middle, and then Brandon Belt, the rookie, hits his first career HR, a 3-run HR giving the Giants the temporary lead of 3-1.

Bills then bounces back to get a 1-2-3 inning in the 5th. Sanchez reciprocates with a 1-2-3 inning against the Dodgers in the bottom of the inning.

The top of the 6th is when Thames drops a fly ball hit by Sandoval to draw the Dodgers lone error of the night. With Billingsley watching from the dugout, the Giants become unraveled in the bottom of the 6th inning. Kemp singles and then excitingly runs to third when Thames gorunds one to third base. Ballsy base running, but I like it! Kemp then scores on Loney's fly ball closing the gap to 3-2 in favor of the Giants. Big Rod, who had a good night, singles. Miles then draws a throwing error on Sandoval and takes second while Big Rod ends up at third. Gimenez, pinch hitting, hits a little infield dribbler which Sanchez proceeds to drop and allows the tieing run to score. Guillermo Mota comes in to relieve Sanchez, and Furcal immediately singles in Miles giving the Dodgers a 4-3 lead.

Blake Hawksworth comes into relieve Bills in the 7th, and has a very sketchy inning. Tejada bunt singles, Torres strikes out, Sanchez singles Tejada to second, Huff walks to load the bases up, and then with a 3-2 count to the so-called "Rookie of the Year" Posey, Hawksworth gets him to strike out as he flings his bat into the stands.

Matt Guerrier pitches a decent 8th inning with Kemp helping out with a good catch in center.

Broxton comes into pitch the 9th, and with only 9 pitches retires the side and gets the save.

Great game. Kemp is really starting off hot. I'd still like to see more run production, and I'm not too impressed with Miles, Thames, nor de Jesus who struck out 3 times.

Tomorrow is a 1pm game, Go Blue!!