Fully rested after an off day Monday, the Dodgers used the long ball to jump start their offense, hitting four home runs to beat the Padres 6-4 at Dodger Stadium. The four home runs tied the Dodgers' season high, which they also accomplished April 18 against the Rockies at home.
Andre Ethier continued his torrid June with two more home runs, giving him five homers and eight extra-base hits in eight games this month. He now has 12 hits in 29 at-bats lifetime against Tall Chris Young, with six home runs.
Matt Kemp added a solo shot of his own in the fifth, and Orlando Hudson broke out of a two for 21 slump with another solo home run later in the inning.
Chad Billingsley, even though he only walked two batters, struggled with his control all night, throwing 117 pitches in 5.2 innings, his shortest outing of the season. He gave up three runs and struck out five batters, good enough for his eighth win, tying Jason Marquis, Johan Santana, and Matt Cain for the National League lead in victories.
Jonathan Broxton got his 14th save for the Dodgers, but not before he gave up his first run of the season at Dodger Stadium. On the season, Broxton has now pitched 18.2 innings at home, allowing only five hits and three walks, while striking out 32 batters.
Clayton Kershaw toes the mound Wednesday night for the Dodgers, against Wade Leblanc, making his first major league start of 2009 for the Padres, as the Dodgers close out their nine-game home stand.
WP - Chad Billingsley (8-3): 5.2 IP, 8 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts
LP - Chris Young (4-5): 5 IP, 6 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
Sv - Jonathan Broxton (14): 1 IP, 1 hit, 1 run, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts