When people talk about how a pitcher impacts the game, they usually mean on the rubber. But for Chad Billingsley, he’s a threat whenever he’s in the game, be it the mound or the plate. While lacking his control for most of the game, the burly righty hit a home run and doubled, driving in three runs in the Dodgers’ 9-6 victory over the Reds. Bills managed to last five innings, long enough for his fifth win, despite allowing four runs on eight hits and three walks.
The offense came to life on the backs of Billingsley and Matt Kemp, who hit his third home run in two days. Kemp finished the day reaching base safely five times. Every starter had a hit and, with the exceptions of Jerry Sands and Rod Barajas, a run scored. The Dodgers combined for 13 hits and ten walks.
Rookie Josh Lindblom inherited a runner in the ninth when he entered, and loaded the bases with a walk and a hit-by-pitch before retiring the next three batters to end the game.
The Dodgers move on to Philadelphia, where Ted Lilly will face fellow lefty Cliff Lee.
Original Story:
http://socalsportshub.com/2011/06/05/...
