Dodgers Diaries

Chad Billingsley went a long way toward answering concerns about whether he is a No. 1 starting pitcher Sunday night. But then an injury only raised more questions about the Dodgers putative ace.

Billingsley was electric for five innings, limiting the Atlanta offense to two hits and a walk while striking out nine. He left the game in the top of the sixth, when Joe Torre pinch-hit for him rather than risk his stalwart in what was then a 4-0 game. The Dodgers’ offense made the strategy look not only cautious but brilliant, as pinch-hitter Jason Schmidt (yes, Schmidt) scored a valuable insurance run on a James Loney double.

The Dodgers are calling it a cramp, and we won’t know if that’s the truth until Billz’ next start Friday against these same Braves here in Los Angeles.

Guillermo Mota, George Sherrill, and Ramon Troncoso all pitched, because what’s a Joe Torre baseball game without four relievers. The guy must get frequent flier miles for trips to the mound. Scott Elbert had one of his more extensive outings, throwing 2.2 innings in relief of Billz. He’s looking more and more like the lefty specialist the Dodgers have been seeking since Will Ohman went down.

The strength of the Dodger bullpen makes me think Ned Colletti is indulging Torre’s relieverophilia. Eight relievers in the pen is too many, but come playoff time, let’s say it’s whittled down to six: Broxton, Troncoso and Mota from the right side; Sherrill, Kuo and Elbert from the left side. That’s a frightening arsenal, to say nothing of Belisario and Wade (should they return from injury), and James McDonald and whichever starter (Wolf, Kuo, Schmidt) doesn’t make the playoff rotation. --- John Rosenthal.