The Los Angeles Dodgers look to continue their roll on Saturday, hosting the Colorado Rockies in the second game of a three-game weekend series at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers, who have won four straight games and outscored their opponents 30-8 during that span, will send Chad Billingsley to the mound. Kevin Millwood will start for Colorado.
Billingsley lost to Millwood and the Rockies on Saturday, but also delivered by conserving the bullpen. The Dodgers were in a bit of a pickle last Sunday, having used all seven relievers on Saturday and having used four of the seven bullpen moundsmen for two days in a row. Things were so dire that the Dodgers even had first baseman James Loney, who pitched in high school, warm up in the bullpen before the game just in case he was needed in an emergency. Billingsley pitched into the eighth inning and although he took the loss he provided the long outing the Dodgers needed.
Billinglsey is 1-3 against the Rockies this season, though location has been the key. At Coors Field this season, Billingsley is 0-3 and has allowed 17 runs in just over 15 innings. However, on May 30 at Dodger Stadium, he allowed just one run in seven innings, striking out eight for the win. On the season Billingsley is 10-10 with a 4.07 ERA.
The 36-year old Millwood has pitched well for the Rockies in three starts since getting signed on August 8. He has a 4.50 ERA with three walks and 13 strikeouts in 20 innings, but has also given up a whopping six home runs during that span.
Ever since Loney warmed up in the bullpen on Sunday, he has been on fire at the plate. Loney had four hits on Sunday in Colorado, including a home run, double, and single off Millwood, and has had four multi-hit games in his last five efforts. Loney has 13 hits in his last 21 at-bats, including three doubles and two home runs. He has hit five of his seven home runs against Colorado this season.
Saturday's 1:10 p.m. PDT game will be televised by Fox. For more news and information about the Dodgers, be sure to read True Blue LA.