Chad Billingsley was the beneficiary of some great run support today, a lot of it coming off his own bat, as the Dodgers beat the Reds 9-6 in the finale of a three-game series in Cincinnati. Billingsley had a home run, a double, and a base-loaded walk, giving him three RBI on the day. Matt Kemp continued his great weekend, with a two-run home run, and three walks.
Billingsley on the mound had his troubles, but he was able to last five innings, allowing four runs, for the win. Relief pitcher John Ely, a starter his whole career and up with the club because of necessity and several arms hurt, provided a yeoman's effort out of the bullpen, pitching into the ninth inning and saving most of the bullpen. Rookie Josh Lindblom got the final three outs to close out the win, though not before issuing a walk and hititng a batter to loaded the bases and bringing the tying run to the plate.
Kemp reached base five times in six plate appearances, and his home run was his third in two games. The entire Dodger offense came alive, with 13 hits and 10 walks on the day. The Dodgers have scored seven or more runs in five of their last seven games. The Dodgers head next to Philadelphia to battle the Phillies, and look to have some reinforcements on the way, as Juan Uribe, Marcus Thames, and Blake Hawksworth will likely be activated at some point during that series, even as soon as Monday.
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