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Billingsley attempts to emulate Kuroda's gem

Jul 8, 2008 - 2:01 PM Atlanta (42-48) at LA Dodgers (44-45) 10:10 pm ET

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- One day after Hiroki Kuroda tossed a one-hit gem, the Atlanta Braves will have to figure out how to manage some offense against the Los Angeles Dodgers' hottest pitcher, Chad Billingsley.

Billingsley will try to keep the Dodgers rolling in July on Tuesday when they they continue their three-game set against the Braves.

Los Angeles defeated Atlanta, 3-0, in Monday's series opener behind Kuroda's one-hitter as Los Angeles won for the sixth time in seven games this month. The 33-year-old Japanese righthander took a perfect game into the eighth inning before Mark Teixeira - the only Atlanta baserunner - opened the eighth with a double.

Even though it will be tough to follow such an act, Billingsley (8-7, 3.12 ERA) is likely the most likely to repeat such a performance as he will aiming for his fifth win in as many starts. The 23-year-old righthander has been particularly sharp lately, striking out 25 over 26.1 innings over his last four outings for a 1.37 ERA.

In his last start, Billingsley yielded two unearned runs and six hits over eight innings, striking out five in a 5-2 win at Houston on Thursday.

Atlanta will counter with rookie Jair Jurrjens (8-4, 3.09), who will look to rebound from his first loss in nine starts. The righthander surrendered four runs - including a season-worst three homers - and eight hits over seven frames in Thursday's 4-1 loss vs. Philadelphia.