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Loney, Dodgers set to battle Giants

Sep 29, 2007 - 1:27 PM San Francisco (70-90) at La Dodgers (81-79) 10:10 pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - The Los Angeles Dodgers' season is ending in two days but the future looks promising with players like James Loney in the lineup.

Loney will hope to continue his torrid hitting when the Dodgers host the rival San Francisco Giants in the second of a three-game series Saturday.

The 23-year-old Loney belted a solo home run in Friday's 8-3 triumph over the Giants. The second-year first baseman is currently on a seven-game hitting streak, going 14-of-30 (.467) with three home runs and nine RBI over that stretch.

A native of Houston, Texas, Loney is batting .336 with 15 blasts and 67 RBI since being called up in June.

Los Angeles will give the ball to righthander Chad Billingsley (12-5, 3.09 ERA), who has been impressive throughout September. The 23-year-old Billingsley is 3-1 with a 1.50 ERA in five starts this month.

San Francisco starter Travis Blackley (0-0, 3.60) will make his second start of the season. The Australian lefthander, who has not won since 2004, gave up two runs on three hits and four walks with five strikeouts over five innings in a 5-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.

The Giants have lost three consecutive games.