Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Andre Ethier drove in the winning run in
the sixth and Chad Billingsley tossed six solid innings as the Dodgers downed
the Pirates, 4-1, in the second of a three-game set.
Billingsley (2-0) gave up just one run on five hits with four strikeouts for
the Dodgers, who have taken the first two games of this set. Juan Rivera went
3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.
"I had a good fastball command tonight," said Billingsley. "Everything was
pretty good and it's always nice to get ahead of hitters."
Clint Barmes' solo home run was the only run for the Pirates, who have dropped
their past two after taking two of three from the Phillies to start the
season. Erik Bedard (0-2) gave up two runs on eight hits with a walk and three
strikeouts over five-plus innings of work.
"I didn't throw many strikes with my breaking ball," said Bedard. "I had two
bad innings where I couldn't throw the ball where I wanted to."
Barmes homered in the third, but Rivera countered with an RBI single in the
bottom of the frame that scored Mark Ellis to tie the game.
Pittsburgh had men on first and second with one out in the sixth, but Neil
Walker lined out to short and Nate McLouth was caught off second to end the
inning.
Matt Kemp singled to start the home half of the sixth and went to second on
Rivera's infield single. Ethier then put the Dodgers up by a run with a base
hit to left.
The Dodgers padded their lead in the seventh. Dee Gordon led off with a double
and that brought Evan Meek to the mound for Pittsburgh. The next two batters
struck out, but Gordon got to third on a stolen base. Rivera then singled him
home and Ethier followed with a single. A pinch-hit base hit from Tony Gwynn
then made it a 4-1 game.
Kenley Jansen worked the eighth and Javy Guerra pitched a perfect ninth inning
for his fourth save of the season.
Game Notes
Billingsley is now 6-1 in his career against Pittsburgh over 11 games (seven
starts)...Kemp, who finished the game 3-for-4, had a streak of nine straight
games with an RBI snapped...The Dodgers left 10 men on base.
The Sports Network