Monday night saw a change for Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley, who for the first time in his twenty two career starts pitched nine innings. Chad had never gone past seven innings and the excitement was overwhelming. He took to the mould and helped the Dodgers crush the Houston Astros 10-2, becoming the first Dodger to start with a 7-0 mark, since Matt Herges who started with an 8-0 mark in 2000.
Billingsley who is a right handed pitcher threw a five hitter and if it wasn’t for Luke Scott who hit two home runs and made Chad loose a chance at a shutout. Chad only let through five hits with three walks and six strikeouts. He is now 3-0 in seven starts since being put on the lineup in June and had been 4-0 in his twenty three appearances as a relief pitcher.
Los Angeles Dodgers proved to be a tough team for the Astros to beat with players like former Astro Jeff Kent who went 4-for-4, as well as players like Luis Gonzalez also a former Astro player who made three RBI’s and three home runs which came from James Loney. Nomar Garciaparra was also a key player with his three hits which improved his .283 average which is now at a seven week high.