Dodgers-Cardinals: Billingsley Leads The Way in 7-3 Victory

Chad Billingsley returned to the mound for the first time since straining his left hamstring on Aug. 7 as the Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the St. Louis Cardinals for the second of three games at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers (71-49), who had lost four out of five to the Cardinals (68-53) this season entering tonight, won 7-3 behind the arm of their now healthy staff ace. Billingsley pitched six innings of strong baseball, allowing two runs on just three hits and despite striking out only one hitter, he also didn’t issue a walk—which is impressive considering he entered the game fourth in the NL in walks (66). The Dodgers offense nickel-and-dimed the Cardinals all night, as each starting position player recorded a base hit. The club also got production from the bottom of the lineup with Orlando Hudson going 3-for-3 and making multiple Gold Glove-caliber players at second base. Catcher Russell Martin added a 2-for-4 effort, and Andre Ethier stayed hot at the dish, banging out...