Homer Bailey pitched eight strong innings and catcher Devin Mesoraco hit a two-run double, leading the Cincinnati Reds over the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-2 on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. It was the 12th loss for the Dodgers in their last 14 games.
The Dodgers scored first on a first-inning home run by Jerry Hairston Jr., which snapped a string of 345 plate appearances without a home run for the team, a drought that spanned nine full games.
The Dodgers added another run in the second inning on a sacrifice fly by Luis Cruz, who was promoted from Triple A Albuquerque earlier in the day.
Chad Billingsley made that 2-0 lead stand up for five scoreless innings, but the Reds got to him in the sixth inning. After allowing four hits through five innings, Billingsley allowed two doubles and two singles in the sixth alone, and three runs to give Cincinnati the lead.
The Reds piled on the Dodgers bullpen late, scoring two runs in the eighth off Todd Coffey and three more in the ninth off Jamey Wright.
Reds shortstop Zack Cozart left the game in the fifth inning after getting hit in the helmet by a pitch from Billingsley. Cozart suffered a mild concussion, and will be reevaluated tomorrow.
Dodgers third baseman Juan Uribe left the game before the top of the sixth with a right ankle sprain. He is day-to-day.
Chris Capuano gets the call on the mound for the Dodgers on Tuesday night in the middle game of the series, facing Johnny Cueto for the Reds.
For all your Dodgers news and analysis, be sure to read True Blue LA. To keep up with Reds news and notes, be sure to read Red Reporter.
