Recap: Los Angeles vs. San Diego
Sports Network | September 24, 2008
Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Nomar Garciaparra's three-run homer highlighted a six-run opening inning, and the Dodgers moved closer to the NL West title with a 10-1 victory over the San Diego Padres.
Manny Ramirez added a two-run double in the first, and Chad Billingsley threw six strong innings and knocked in two runs, as Los Angeles trimmed its magic number to three for winning the division. LA's lead increased to three games over Arizona, which lost 7-4 at St. Louis Tuesday night.
Billingsley (16-10) scattered nine hits and allowed just one run to win his fourth straight decision.
"Coming out and scoring six runs early allowed me to relax and get my rhythm back," said Billingsley. "I felt good about the victory, but my off-speed wasn't that sharp."
Blake DeWitt also clubbed a three-run homer for the Dodgers, who have won 17 of their last 22 games.
Chase Headley had three hits and Edgar Gonzalez had the lone RBI for the Padres in the opener of the three-game series. San Diego had its three-game winning streak broken.
Wade LeBlanc (1-2) gave up seven hits and seven runs while walking four in 2 2/3 innings.
"We fell behind early and we couldn't recover," said Padres manager Bud Black. "Billingsley pitched well enough to hold us down."
The first seven LA batters reached base. Matt Kemp walked and Russell Martin doubled to left. Ramirez followed with a two-run double to left-center. Andre Ethier walked and Garciaparra homered to center field.
"It was good to jump on them early," said Garciaparra. "That allowed Billingsley to go out there and pitch. As long as we win, we'll be where we want to be."
LeBlanc continued to struggle, giving up singles to Casey Blake and DeWitt. With two outs and runners at the corners, Billingsley put down a perfectly executed squeeze bunt, scoring Blake.
Edgar Gonzalez singled in Adrian Gonzalez in the second inning, but Billingsley's base hit plated DeWitt in the third for a 7-1 lead.
Garciaparra walked and Blake singled to begin the bottom of the fifth before DeWitt crushed a ball over the wall in right field.
The Dodgers are 22-8 at home since the All-Star break...The Dodgers lead the season series, 10-6, having beaten the Padres in six of the last seven meetings...In a special pregame ceremony, the Dodgers honored longtime team physician, Dr. Frank Jobe. Jobe pioneered the revolutionary elbow tendon replacement procedure now known simply as Tommy John surgery...Billingsley had five strikeouts, bringing his total to 199 this season. He's also pitched 198 2/3 innings. Billingsley is trying to become the first Dodger since Chan Ho Park in 2001 to strike out 200 batters and work 200 innings in the same season...San Diego right fielder Brian Giles doubled in the third inning. He's reached base safely in 29 of his last 30 games...Earlier in the day, Padres hitting coach Wally Joyner tendered his resignation, effective at the end of this season.
