GAME THREAD: NL: SAN DIEGO (46-33) at LA DODGERS (45-36)

Billingsley pitches gem as Dodgers blank Padres

<h3>LOS ANGELES 5, SAN DIEGO 0</h3>LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Chad Billingsley helped the Los AngelesDodgers avoid their fifth straight loss to the San Diego Padres.

Billingsley pitched seven scoreless innings to lift the Dodgersto a 5-0 victory over the Padres in the finale of a three-gameseries on Sunday.

Allowing just three hits with no walks, Billingsley (5-0) had acareer-high nine strikeouts in his longest outing of the season.

The 22-year-old Billingsley, who started for just the third timethis season, won his first game as a starter since September21, 2006, against the Pirates.

The righthander gave up seven runs over 7 2/3 innings in hisprevious two starts after beginning the season in the bullpen.

Showing a level of control that he has rarely shown during hiscareer, Billingsley threw an economical 88 pitches - 63 of whichwent for strikes.

The Padres threatened in the second after Hiram Bocochica'stwo-out infield single off Billingsley's leg put runners on thecorners, but Billingsley was able to get opposing pitcher JustinGermano to fly out and end the inning.

Starting with Germano's flyout, Billingsley retired the last 16hitters he faced.

The Dodgers pulled within one game of the Padres in the NationalLeague West.

The Dodgers struck against Germano (5-2) in the third inning.After going hitless in the first two innings, they plated threeruns on consecutive two-out RBI singles by Rafael Furcal, JuanPierre and Russell Martin.

Matt Kemp blasted a solo home run in the fourth inning andFurcal added another in the seventh to extend Los Angeles'advantage to 5-0.

After starting the season unbeaten over his first seven starts,Germano lost his second straight decision. The 24-year-oldrighthander pitched 6 2/3 innings, surrendering five runs andeight hits. He had three walks and three strikeouts.

 

Billingsley pitches gem as Dodgers blank Padres

<h3>LOS ANGELES 5, SAN DIEGO 0</h3>LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Chad Billingsley helped the Los AngelesDodgers avoid their fifth straight loss to the San Diego Padres.

Billingsley pitched seven scoreless innings to lift the Dodgersto a 5-0 victory over the Padres in the finale of a three-gameseries on Sunday.

Allowing just three hits with no walks, Billingsley (5-0) had acareer-high nine strikeouts in his longest outing of the season.

"I knew I could pitch this well," Billingsley said. "It wasjust a matter of me settling in and getting back in the groove.I was pounding the outside corner, getting ahead of hitterswith first-pitch strikes, getting them 0-2."

The 22-year-old Billingsley, who started for just the third timethis season, won his first game as a starter since September21, 2006.

The righthander gave up seven runs over 7 2/3 innings in hisprevious two starts after beginning the season in the bullpen.

Showing a level of control that he has rarely shown during inhis career, Billingsley threw an economical 88 pitches - 63 ofwhich went for strikes.

"His command was there today," Dodgers manager Grady Littlesaid. "He didn't get outside of himself. He was pounding theoutside corners."

The Padres threatened in the second after Hiram Bocochica'stwo-out infield single off Billingsley's leg put runners on thecorners. Billingsley, however, was able to get opposing pitcherJustin Germano to fly out and end the inning.

Starting with Germano's flyout, Billingsley retired the last 16hitters he faced.

"I think the story of today was Billingsley," Padres manager BudBlack said. "We're aware that he has a great arm and greatstuff, but today his ability to throw strikes and move the ballin and out was the story of the game. He was impressive, shutus down."

The Dodgers pulled within one game of the Padres in the NationalLeague West.

"As recently as this morning, we felt we hadn't seen all thatwe're capable of," Little said. "We feel like the best part ofthe season is yet to come."

The Dodgers struck against Germano (5-2) in the third inning.After going hitless in the first two innings, they plated threeruns on consecutive two-out RBI singles by Rafael Furcal, JuanPierre and Russell Martin.

Matt Kemp blasted a solo home run in the fourth inning andFurcal added another in the seventh to extend Los Angeles'advantage to 5-0.

After starting the season unbeaten over his first seven starts,Germano lost his second straight decision. The 24-year-oldrighthander pitched 6 2/3 innings, surrendering five runs andeight hits. He had three walks and three strikeouts.

"I thought Justin did a good job," Black said. "There arecertain days like today that you get a 'W,' but today wasn't oneof those days."