Diamondbacks 1 - 0 Dodgers
Final
  for this game

Collmenter makes first big league start at Chavez Ravine

May 14, 2011 - 2:33 PM (Sports Network) - Josh Collmenter makes his first major league start this evening when the Arizona Diamondbacks continue a three-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

Collmenter has been terrific in his seven relief appearances for Arizona, allowing just two runs in 14 innings of work. Both runs came in the same outing back on April 24 against the New York Mets.

"He just gets people out," Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said.

The right-hander has also struck out 11 batters in 14 innings, while walking just one.

"I'm excited for the opportunity and always wanted to start in the big leagues," said Collmenter, who will be starting in place of Barry Enright. "The bullpen has allowed me to make an easier transition to starting. I don't really have any butterflies left. Getting in games as a reliever has helped with that."

Los Angeles will rely on right-hander Chad Billingsley, who has lost two of his last three decisions. Billingsley was tagged with the loss on Monday in Pittsburgh, as he allowed three runs and seven hits in seven innings, dropping him to 2-2 on the year to go along with a 3.91 ERA.

Billingsley is certainly no stranger to the Diamondbacks, having gone 9-5 with a 3.48 ERA against them in 21 outings, 19 of which have been starts.

The Dodgers can only hope Billingsley delivers the way Clayton Kershaw did in Friday's opener. The left-hander tossed seven scoreless innings and Matt Kemp had two hits and an RBI to lift the Dodgers to a a 4-3 triumph. Andre Ethier had a run-scoring single and Rod Barajas added a home run to give the Dodgers their third straight win and a fourth victory in their last five games.

Kershaw (5-3) allowed three hits and walked two while striking out 11. He retired 14 batters in a row after walking Xavier Nady with one out in the third inning.

"After the first two innings I settled down. Rod (Barajas) and I were on the same page all night. I didn't have to call him off at all," said Kershaw.

Joe Saunders (0-5) went 6 2/3 innings, allowing four runs -- three earned -- on six hits and four walks in the D-Backs' fifth consecutive one-run defeat.

Ethier has now reached base safely in 36 straight games.

The Dodgers were 13-5 against the Diamondbacks last season, with a 7-2 record at Chavez Ravine.






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