So the Dodgers are up 5-3 on the Padres heading into the top of the eighth inning. Uncharacteristically for this Dodgers team, they’ve relied on the long ball. Andre Ethier has two solo bombs, and Matt Kemp and Orlando Hudson have added solo shots of their own. Kemp added an RBI single to score Rafael Furcal.
Billingsley didn’t have his best stuff on the mound but survived through five and two-thirds innings. Brent Leach came on in the sixth and threw one pitch to get out of the inning, and Ronald Belisario pitched a perfect seventh.

In other news, the Dodgers made three more selections on the first day of the 2009 MLB Draft. After taking Baylor LHP/CF Aaron Miller with the 36th pick, they went on to select Cal OF Blake Smith at #56, Maize (Ks.) High RHP Garrett Gould with the 65th selection, and Orange Coast College RHP Brett Wallach at #96.
It is important to note that all four of these guys do have eligibility remaining, meaning that they could return to school and not sign with the Dodgers. Reports have indicated that Gould could very well choose to do so and honor his commitment to Wichita State.
Miller told MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick that he is eager to sign.