Dodgers-Astros: Chad Billingsley Struggles Once Again in 8-1 Defeat

The Los Angeles Dodgers (56-34) and the Houston Astros (46-44) saw their aces go toe-to-toe at Dodger Stadium on Friday night. Chad Billingsley, fresh off of his first career All-Star appearance on Tuesday, took the hill for the hometown Dodgers against Roy Oswalt of the Astros. Oswalt came out victorious in a game that was never in question, as the Astros scored early and held a big lead throughout the night en route to an 8-1 win. Billingsley was in hopes of regaining control of the four-game series but came into the game winless in his past five starts and has not won since June 14 at Texas. He was knocked around in his last outing against the Brewers and had a difficult first inning tonight when the Astros sent nine men to the plate. Billingsley retired the first two batters of the game with just five pitches but then allowed six consecutive hits and four runs. Miguel Tejada got the hit parade going with a two-out home run that gave the Astros a 1-0 lead and was Tejada’s e...