Thursday, April 23, 2009
Dodgers 2
Astros NIL
W: Billingsley (4-0) | L: Wandy (1-2) | S: Broxton (5)
HR: NIL
Wandy pitched another gem. 6 innings, 1 run. The Astros line up was controlled by Billingsley for 7+ innings and wasn’t able to muster a run as the lone Dodgers score in the 1st held up and the Good Guys dropped the series finale 2-0.
Berkman’s struggles at the plate are maddening. 3 times up with men on, 2 Ks and a GIDP. Miggy was tested tonight in the field and had a rough go of it. A grounder off of his glove diving to his right in the 7th turned into the Dodgers insurance run. But his double in the 1st was as far as any Astros got against Billingsley who snuffed all threats with an efficient mix of pitches that induced either a K or ground ball outs.
Torre pulled Billingsley at the 1st hint of trouble. With 1 out in the 8th, Bourn reached on an infield single and Broxton was brought in to close it out. Pence lined to short and Kaz grounded to 1st to end the 8th.
Bottom 9 was wacky. Miggy singled followed by 2 quick Ks of Berkman and Lee. Then Blum was (was not) hit in the foot by a pitch, bringing the winning run to the dish in Erstad. First pitch to him bounced 3 feet in front of the plate, off C Martin and over towards the Astros dugout, moving the tying runners into scoring position. Erstad swung at the next 3 pitches, a nasty curve and 2 filthy sliders, connecting on the second and sending it bouncing lazily to Loney at 1st who ended it unassisted.
Bud’s Bunch roll into town for the weekend on a 2-gamer. Gallardo vs. Paulino tomorrow, first pitch 7:05.