The Dodgers finally broke through against a Phillies' starting pitcher on Wednesday afternoon, plating five runs off Vance Worley in the first inning. The Dodgers would lead 6-0 early, but it wasn't enough as Philadelphia stormed back for a 9-8 win to complete their three-game sweep at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers have lost four straight games.
Chad Billingsley did not have a good day on Wednesday. He didn't allow a run in the first inning but he was taxed for 30 pitches, including 15 to leadoff man Jimmy Rollins, who fouled off nine pitches before popping out to catcher Rod Barajas in foul territory. Billingsley was staked to a 6-0 lead but left the game in the fifth inning after allowing five runs.
Billingsley wasn't helped by his defense, as both James Loney and Casey Blake made key errors that lead to three unearned runs, but Billingsley had plenty of problems of his own doing. Billingsley walked three and struck out zero, the fourth time in his career that he failed to strikeout a single batter. Over his last three starts, Billingsley has 10 walks and six strikeouts in 16 innings.
"I didn't have quite as good a rhythm, and I was struggling with my command a little bit," Billingsley said after the game. "I just couldn't make the pitches when I needed to."
Offensively the Dodgers had a nice game. Matt Kemp had four hits and stole his 30th base of the season. Juan Rivera had three hits of his own, including a three-run home run in the first inning. It was just the Dodgers' fifth three-run home run of the season.
The Phillies took the lead with four runs in the sixth inning, as Blake Hawksworth allowed a two-run single by Chase Utley and a two-run, opposite-field home run by Ryan Howard. The Dodgers scored one run in the ninth inning to pull within 9-8, but Rod Barajas flew out to the warning track in center field to end the game. Ryan Madson picked up his third save in three days, and the Phillies had a 9-1 road trip, the best road trip in the long history of their franchise.
The Dodgers are off Thursday, and open a three-game series against Houston Friday night. Nathan Eovaldi makes his second major league start and his Dodger Stadium debut, against Bud Norris. The Dodgers, however, will be without the services of shortstop Dee Gordon, who was placed on the disabled list with a right shoulder contusion. A corresponding roster move likely won't be made until Friday.
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