Recap: Los Angeles vs. Milwaukee

By Sports Network

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Chad Billingsley threw seven solid innings, and Casey Blake hit a two-run home run, as the Los Angeles Dodgers topped Milwaukee, 5-3, in the first of three games with the Brewers.

Billingsley (12-9) gave up three runs on five hits and a pair of walks while striking out five to pick up the victory. He did not factor into the decision in his past two starts, but has won three consecutive decisions.

Blake finished with three hits, as did Jeff Kent, while Russell Martin added a solo homer for the Dodgers, who have won five in a row. Los Angeles kept pace with Arizona for the top spot in the NL West, as the Diamondbacks beat Houston earlier Friday.

Manny Parra (9-6) took the loss after surrendering four runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 frames. He has now dropped his past four decisions.

Gabe Kapler hit a two-run homer for Milwaukee, which has lost two straight after winning eight in a row. The Brewers' lead over St. Louis in the NL Wild Card race was trimmed to two games, as the Cardinals beat Cincinnati on Friday.

Milwaukee controlled the early portion of the game, thanks to Kapler's two- run, one-out homer in the first inning. Though the Dodgers scored one run in the home portion -- Manny Ramirez singled with runners on the corners -- the Brewers got that run right back. Mike Cameron tripled with one out, and Jason Kendall singled to left to make it a 3-1 game.

The contest remained that way until the bottom of the fourth inning. Nomar Garciaparra led off with a single, and after Martin grounded into a fielder's choice, Blake blasted his two-run shot to left field to tie the game.

Los Angeles went ahead in the fifth. Matt Kemp stroked a one-out double and came around on Kent's single to center for a 4-3 Dodgers edge.

For his part, Billingsley rebounded from the rough first few innings. He set the Brewers down in order in the third and fifth, and allowed just one baserunner each in the fourth, sixth and seventh frames.

Ramon Troncoso, Joe Beimel and Jonathan Broxton each got an out in the eighth inning to keep Milwaukee off the scoreboard. Martin then led off the home eighth with a homer -- just clearing the wall in left-center field -- to provide an insurance run.

Broxton remained on the mound for the ninth and struck out two in a perfect inning to seal the win, and notch his ninth save of the season.