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Pitching helping Dodgers surge into contention

Jul 30, 2008 - 10:16 AM San Francisco (44-62) at LA Dodgers (53-53) 10:10 p.m. EDT

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers have surged into contention in the National League West Division on the strength of their pitching.

Righthander Chad Billingsley (10-9, 3.26 ERA) tries to lead the Dodgers to their fifth win in six games on Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants.

Los Angeles enters the series finale one game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for first place in the NL West thanks to a staff, which ranks first in the NL and third in the majors with a 3.72 ERA and has held opponents scoreless in three of their last four games.

Billingsley, who ranks third in the NL with 137 strikeouts, has also been a huge part of the success of the rotation, winning six of his last eight starts while surrendering two runs or fewer five times over that span.

The 24-year-old allowed two runs and five hits in 7 2/3 innings, walking three while striking out four en route to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday.

Jonathan Sanchez (8-6, 4.46) tries to end a dismal stretch . Sanchez has yet to post a victory in July after winning five of his six starts in June. The 25-year-old lefthander is 0-2 with an 8.47 ERA this month as the Giants have dropped each of his last four outings.