The Dodgers were in danger of being swept by the Indians after being beat in extras for the past two games, but four runs scored in the first held out for a 4-3 win.
The Dodger offense came out striking in the first inning, tagging Indians’ starter Paul Byrd for four runs before he could even record an out. Juan Pierre and Matt Kemp got on with hits before being driven home by James Loney’s 2-RBI-double. Russell Martin then drove a two-run shot to put the Dodgers up 4-0. What looked like batting practice for the Dodgers turned into a one-run game by the third, as the Dodgers were held to just six more hits and no runs after their first inning rally.
Chad Billingsley became the Dodgers first pitcher to reach six wins, as he went five innings and fanned four. He let a 4-0 lead slip to a one-run game in the third and nearly lost the lead in the fifth before Andre Ethier threw out the tying run at the plate. The tired bullpen, off two straight losses, was effective in holding the Indians scoreless. Hong-Chih Kuo, Joe Beimel, and Jonathan Broxton combined with one inning each for the hold. Saito then had a 1-2-3 ninth for his 11th save.
The Dodgers have Monday off before hosting the White Sox. They stay 3 1/2 under the Dbacks.
