Dodgers Vs. Braves Final Score: Chad Billingsley Shuts Down Atlanta, L.A. Wins 5-0

Chad Billingsley held the Atlanta Braves scoreless in seven innings of work and earned his sixth consecutive win for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 5-0 victory on Sunday afternoon at Turner Field in Atlanta.

Dodgers third baseman Luis Cruz launched a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning off of the Braves' Mike Minor. It was Cruz's fourth home run of the year.

Mark Ellis helped add an insurance run at the top of the eighth inning, driving in Juan Uribe on a single to right field. Ellis later drove in three more runs in the ninth inning on a bases-clearing double, effectively giving the Dodgers the win.

Billingsley struck out four and only allowed three hits in seven innings of work. Dodgers relievers Ronald Belisario and Scott Elbert finished the job off, holding the Braves hit-less and scoreless in the eighth and ninth innings respectively.

The Dodgers travel back to L.A. to host a critical three-game series against their NL West division rivals, the San Francisco Giants, starting on Monday.

For news and analysis on the Dodgers, head over to True Blue LA.

Dodgers Activate Scott Elbert From DL, Option Elian Herrera To Triple A

The Los Angeles Dodgers will now have two left-handed pitchers available in their bullpen, as Scott Elbert was activated from the disabled list on Sunday before their game with the Atlanta Braves. To make room, the Dodgers optioned utility man Elian Herrera to Triple A Albuquerque.

Elbert was placed on the disabled list on July 27 with left elbow inflammation. He last pitched for the Dodgers on July 25, and has missed the last 22 games. He gives the Dodgers two lefties now in the bullpen along with Randy Choate, who was acquired from Miami on July 25.

This move gives the Dodgers 13 pitchers, which means a four-man bench. Which is even more astounding since one of those bench players is Juan Uribe, who has one start in the last four weeks.

In three minor league rehab games with Double A Chattanooga, Elbert struck out all six batters he faced, pitching Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday for the Lookouts.

Herrera was recaled on Monday when Jerry Hairston Jr. went on the disabled list. In two games this week, Herrera went 1-for-3, and on the year is hitting .244/.326/.331 in 53 games.

For more news and notes on Dodgers baseball, be sure to read True Blue LA. For more news and notes on the Braves, be sure to read Talking Chop and SB Nation Atlanta.

Dodgers Vs. Braves Game Preview: Chad Billingsley Goes For 6th Straight Win

The Los Angeles Dodgers will look to take the series from the Atlanta Braves in the rubber game of a three game set on Sunday at 10:35 a.m. PST.

Chad Billingsley takes the hill for the Dodgers early Sunday at Atlanta's Turner Field as the Dodgers look to continue to break out of an up-and-down stretch run.

The Dodgers snapped the Braves' four-game winning streak with their 6-2 victory in Saturday's contest, and were also able to snap a two-game losing streak of their own.

New Dodgers addition Hanley Ramirez supplied the power, blasting two homers to help the Dodgers (66-55) win just their second contest over the Braves in their last five.

Mike Minor heads to the mound for the Braves, who welcome catcher Brian McCann back to the lineup for the afternoon contest.

Here are today's starting lineups:

Los Angeles Dodgers

1. Shane Victorino LF
2. Mark Ellis 2B
3. Matt Kemp CF
4. Hanley Ramirez SS
5. Andre Ethier RF
6. Juan Rivera 1B
7. Luis Cruz 3B
8. A.J. Ellis C
9. Chad Billingsley P

Atlanta Braves
1. Michael Bourne CF
2. Martin Prado LF
3. Jason Heyward RF
4. Freddie Freeman 1B
5. Dan Uggla 2B
6. Juan Francisco 3B
7. Brian McCann C
8. Paul Janish SS
9. Mike Minor P

For more Dodgers baseball coverage, visit True Blue LA.

Dodgers Vs. Braves Final Score: Hanley Ramirez Powers L.A. To 6-2 Win

Shortstop Hanley Ramirez hit two home runs to help the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday night in Atlanta.

The second homer from Ramirez put the game away for the Dodgers (66-55), who had lost three of four to the Braves earlier this season. The shortstop blasted a three-run home run in the top of the sixth, which gave L.A. a 6-1 lead and Ramirez a total of four RBI on the night.

Ben Sheets' (4-3) comeback tour with the Braves (70-50) was derailed by Ramirez and company, who also hit back-to-back-to-back homers off Sheets in the second inning. Ramirez, James Loney and Luis Cruz blasted bombs in consecutive at bats (and in four total pitches), which was the first time the Dodgers had done so since June 12, 2007. Before giving up four long-balls tonight, Sheets had surrendered just two in his previous 42.1 innings pitched.

Aaron Harang (9-7) grabbed the win for the Dodgers, who finish a three-game set with the Braves tomorrow at 11:35 am PT. Chad Billingsley (9-9) will toe the rubber for L.A., while Mike Minor (6-9) takes the hill for Atlanta.

Dodgers Vs. Braves: Dodgers Hit Back-To-Back-To-Back Home Runs

The Los Angeles Dodgers have claimed an early 3-1 lead on the Braves through four innings in Atlanta as Hanley Ramirez, James Loney, and Luis Cruz hit consecutive home runs in the top of the second. It marks the first time the Dodgers have gone "back-to-back-to-back" since June 12, 2007.

The LA power surge came on just four total pitches from Braves' pitcher Ben Sheets in the top of the frame. The rough string for the resurgent Sheets, 4-2 this season after injuries kept him out all of 2011, mark the only hits he has given up in the contest.

The Braves had given Sheets a lead in the first inning when Michael Bourn scored on a Martin Prado double. Before tonight's second inning, Sheets had given up just two home runs in 42.1 innings his season. Ramirez's homer marks his 17th on the year. Loney picks up his fourth, while Cruz collects just his third on the season.

The Dodgers are playing with manager Don Mattingly suspended tonight and tomorrow for an argument and ejection on Thursday in Pittsburgh, and are 1-3 against the Braves this year.

For more on the Dodgers, visit True Blue LA.

Dodgers Vs. Braves Starting Lineups: James Loney At First Base In Continued Platoon

Since the trade deadline, the Los Angeles Dodgers have found a fairly steady lineup, with the only variables at the corner infield spots. That continues Saturday night with their second game of a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.

James Loney gets the start at first base Saturday for the Dodgers against the right-handed Ben Sheets. It is the 17th straight game the Dodgers have alternated first base between the left-handed Loney and right-handed Juan Rivera. During those last 16 games, Rivera and Loney have combined for just 18 plate appearances against same-handed pitchers.

Here are the starting lineups for Saturday's game at Turner Field.

Dodgers (65-55)

Victorino LF
Ellis 2B
Kemp CF
Ethier RF
Ramirez SS
Loney 1B
Cruz 3B
Ellis C
Harang P

Braves (70-49)

Bourn CF
Prado LF
Heyward RF
Jones 3B
Freeman 1B
Uggla 2B
Ross C
Janish SS
Sheets P

For more news and notes on Dodgers baseball, be sure to read True Blue LA. For more news and notes on the Braves, be sure to read Talking Chop and SB Nation Atlanta.

Don Mattingly Suspended Two Games, Matt Kemp Avoids Suspension For Thursday Outburst

Following the wild events that took place in Pittsburgh this past week, Major League Baseball has announced a two-game suspension for Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. He will serve the suspension immediately, meaning he will not be in the dugout for the two remaining Braves games this weekend. Bench coach Trey Hillman will serve as the acting manager until Monday.

Here is SB Nation's Dodgers blog, True Blue LA, with the news this afternoon.

Dodgers announce Don Mattingly was suspended for 2 games for arguing on Thursday in Pittsburgh

— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) August 18, 2012

There was some good news today: Matt Kemp will not be suspended for his actions against the umpires in Pittsburgh. Many had wondered if the slugging outfielder would miss some time after needing to be restrained by his teammates, but MLB decided his ejection from the game was enough punishment.

First pitch for tonight's game in Atlanta is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET/4:10 p.m. PT. It'll be Aaron Harang and Ben Sheets on the mound.

For more news and notes on Dodgers baseball, be sure to read True Blue LA. For more news and notes on the Braves, be sure to read Talking Chop and SB Nation Atlanta.

Dodgers Vs. Braves Game Preview: MLB Civil Rights Game In Atlanta

The Los Angeles Dodgers look to snap a two-game losing streak on Saturday night as they battle the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field in the 2012 MLB Civil Rights Game.

The Dodgers held a 3-1 lead in the eighth inning on Friday in Atlanta, only to see relief pitcher Ronald Belisario allow a pair of inherited runners to tie the game. The Braves used three consecutive singles with two outs in the 11th inning to score the winning tally for their third victory in four games against the Dodgers this season.

All three Atlanta wins over Los Angeles this season have come in their last at-bat.

Aaron Harang looks for his ninth win of the season, and his second straight victory. He has nine quality starts in his last 13 games. Ben Sheets gets the start for Atlanta, looking for his fifth win.

Dodgers All-Star center fielder Matt Kemp will present former Dodger pitcher and current special advisor to the team Don Newcombe with the Beacon of Hope award at a luncheon in Atlanta as part of the Civil Rights Game festivities.

The Dodgers are 5-3 on their road trip, with two days remaining.

For more news and notes on Dodgers baseball, be sure to read True Blue LA. For more news and notes on the Braves, be sure to read Talking Chop and SB Nation Atlanta.

Dodgers Vs. Braves Final Score: L.A. Suffers 4-3 Walk-Off Loss

Juan Francisco singled to left center field Friday night, delivering a walk-off 4-3 win for the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field, sending the Los Angeles Dodgers to their second straight loss.

Chris Capuano allowed one run in his first seven innings, and pitched into the eighth. He allowed two singles to open the eighth inning, and left with a 3-1 lead and the tying runs on base. Those runs scored off Ronald Belisario, tying the score.

The Braves threatened in the 10th as well but did not score. Brandon League got two outs in the 11th but allowed two singles before getting removed. Jamey Wright entered the game, but Francisco was the first and last batter he faced.

Andre Ethier homered in the sixth inning, a towering two-run shot that gave the Dodgers the lead. It was also the first home run for Ethier since July 14, after a span of 129 plate appearances without one.

Chipper Jones homered for the Braves in the second inning, his third home run in two games.

Aaron Harang starts for the Dodgers on Saturday night, facing Ben Sheets for Atlanta.

For more news and notes on Dodgers baseball, be sure to read True Blue LA. For more news and notes on the Braves, be sure to read Talking Chop and SB Nation Atlanta.

Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly Expects To Be Suspended Following Thursday's Ejection

Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly was one of three Dodgers ejected during Thursday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates and now, following the incident, Mattingly expects to be suspended for at least one game.

#Dodgers' Mattingly, after talking to #MLB's Torre, says he expects to be suspended "a game or two" for run-in with umpire Sunday

— LA Times Baseball (@latimesbaseball) August 17, 2012

Mattingly was ejected in the second inning of Thursday's game following an incident where Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp was ejected by home-plate umpire Angel Campos while in the Dodgers dugout. Mattingly came out to argue and he was then ejected by first base umpire Tim Tschida.

Via @GettingBlanked

While Mattingly expects to be suspended, he doesn't expect Kemp to miss any time.

As for Kemp getting suspended, Mattingly says 'I don’t expect there’d be one but I guess you never know' #Dodgers #MLB

— LA Times Baseball (@latimesbaseball) August 17, 2012

For more on the Dodgers, make sure to check out True Blue LA.

MLB Trade Rumors: Chase Headley Might Not Be Traded In Offseason After All

After shopping third baseman Chase Headley hard up until July's MLB trade deadline, it seemed the Padres were destined to at least attempt to make a deal happen this offseason. But according to ESPN's Jayson Stark, interested clubs are now hearing that their plan of attack with Headley may have changed:

The Padres never got offered enough before the deadline to trade Chase Headley. And, surprisingly, they're telling teams these days that they might not trade him this winter, either, now that (a) they finally have new owners and (b) Headley's heir apparent at third base, Jedd Gyorko, has played enough second base this year in the minor leagues to convince them he can be a viable Dan Uggla-esque option there in the big leagues.

This comes as bad news to a Los Angeles Dodger team whose interest in Headley was no secret. Although Hanley Ramirez has been preforming nicely in his Dodger blue uniform and Luis Cruz has been adequate enough, the new Yankees of the west might have been hot on Headley's tail with the switch-hitting 28-year-old being under team control through 2014.

Even with this news, it's still a possibility the Dodgers go after another fresh name to man the hot corner since Ramirez has shown the ability to play shortstop. Yes, that would leave the once highly-touted speedster Dee Gordon without a role but nothing would shock fans nowadays with Los Angeles proving to the world than money is no object.

Dodgers Vs. Braves Starting Lineups: Matt Treanor, Chris Capuano Team Up For 16th Time

The Los Angeles Dodgers open a three-game series at Turner Field against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night. Matt Treanor gets the call at catcher for the Dodgers in the series opener.

Chris Capuano starts for the Dodgers, looking for his 12th win of the season. This is the 28th start of the season for Treanor, and the 16th catching Capuano. In 15 previous starts with Treanor, Capuano has a 3.05 ERA with 92 strikeouts and 25 walks in 97 1/3 innings.

Tommy Hanson starts for the Braves, in search of win number 13. Here are the starting lineups for Friday, from Turner Field in Atlanta.

Dodgers (65-54)

Victorino LF
Ellis 2B
Kemp CF
Ethier RF
Ramirez SS
Loney 1B
Cruz 3B
Treanor C
Capuano P

Braves (69-49)

Bourne CF
Prado LF
Heyward RF
Jones 3B
Freeman 1B
Uggla 2B
Ross C
Janish SS
Hanson P

For more news and notes on Dodgers baseball, be sure to read True Blue LA. For more news and notes on the Braves, be sure to read Talking Chop and SB Nation Atlanta.

VIDEO: Dee Gordon, Jerry Hairston Jr. Audition For 'The Expendables'

Jerry Hairston Jr. Injury Update: Hip Test Shows 'No Glaring Tear'

According to a report for Los Angeles Times' Jim Peltz, tests on Los Angeles Dodgers utility man Jerry Hairston Jr.'s sore left hip showed 'no glaring tear, nothing major' and that Hairston is 'feeling a lot better' in his road back from the disabled list.

The 36-year old Hairston hit the 15-day DL on Monday after his hip problems he's been dealing with for weeks now got enflamed very quickly, though the test results were 'definitely encouraging' according to team trainer Sue Falsone. Hairston underwent an MRI on Wednesday.

As long as he avoids setbacks, Hairston should be able to return to baseball activities in just a few days, but won't be able to come off the disabled list until August 27.

Hairston is batting .273 with a .342 OBP in 78 games for the Dodgers this season, along with four home runs and 26 RBI.

For more on the Dodgers, make sure to check out True Blue LA.

Melky Cabrera Suspension: Dodgers Now Favored To Win NL West

Dodgers Vs. Braves Game Preview: Chris Capuano Goes For 2nd Straight Win

The Dodgers look to finish their strong road trip as they head to Atlanta for a three-game series with the Braves that begins on Friday. Heading into the series the Dodgers hold a half-game lead over the Giants and hope to leave Atlanta with a stronger hold on the NL West.

To open the series they'll send Chris Capuano (11-8, 3.11 ERA) to the mound. Capuano looks to build on his last outing in which he pitched eight scoreless innings against the Marlins in a 5-0 Dodgers' win. Capuano has also had success against the Braves recently, winning in each of his last three starts against Atlanta. A victory on Friday would give Capuano his first back-to-back wins since May.

Tommy Hanson will get the start for the Braves, coming off the 15-day DL with a strained lower back. Prior to his stint on the DL the Braves had won in each of Hanson's last five starts (he is 3-0 over that stretch).

The first pitch will be at 4:35 p.m. PDT.

For more on the Dodgers, check out True Blue LA and SB Nation Los Angeles.

Dodgers Vs. Braves: Pitching Probables, Game Times, TV Info

The Los Angeles Dodgers continue their road trip on Friday in Georgia, where they open a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves. Here are the pitching probables, the series schedule, and the television schedule for the weekend series.

Friday, 4:35 p.m. PDT (Prime Ticket)

Chris Capuano (11-8, 3.11 ERA) pitched eight scoreless innings in his last start and has given up just two runs in 15 innings in his last two starts. Tommy Hanson (12-5, 4.29) looks for his 13th win of the season in the series opener.

Saturday, 4:10 p.m. PDT (Prime Ticket, MLB Network)

Aaron Harang (8-7, 3.76) has nine quality starts in his last 13 outings, and he starts the second game of the series. Ben Sheets (4-2, 2.13) has been outstanding since joining the Braves.

Sunday: 10:35 a.m. PDT (KCAL, TBS)

Chad Billingsley (9-9, 3.62) has won each of his last five starts, with a 1.56 ERA during that span. He starts the finale against Mike Minor (6-9, 4.93).

For more news and notes on Dodgers baseball, be sure to read True Blue LA. For more news and notes on the Braves, be sure to read Talking Chop and SB Nation Atlanta.