Dodgers get encouraging outing from Chad Billingsley

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Chad Billingsley, take a bow. It’s deserved, and very much needed. For both Billingsley and the Dodgers.

The strange case of Chad Billingsley -- an All-Star the first half last season, a lost-looking pitcher ever since -- took another turn Sunday in Washington, D.C., when he looked dramatically improved over his previous start.

That would be when he lasted only three innings in Cincinnati, leaving with a 7.07 ERA and everyone wondering how long the Dodgers could continue with him in the rotation.

Were his problems physical, mechanical, mental, a little of each?

But Sunday against the Nationals, he seemed like a different pitcher.

He went strong six innings, allowing one run on four hits and two walks (one intentional), striking out five.

Billingsley looked like a different pitcher or, at least, very different from the last Billingsley seen. He had command, threw strikes (55 in 86 pitches) and appeared much more confident.

The only run he allowed Sunday came in the first on a single, walk, sacrifice bunt and fielder’s choice.

He retired 15 of 17 Nationals until Cristian Guzman doubled in the sixth on another ball Matt Kemp probably could have caught in center. After intentionally walking Adam Dunn, he got Josh Willingham to bounce out.

Billingsley, a quiet and private type, was all but given a hero’s welcome in the dugout. His day was done, and, first, manager Joe Torre went over to him on the bench to apparently offer encouragement and congratulations, and then pitching coach Rick Honeycutt.

With opening-day starter Vicente Padilla placed on the disabled list and fifth-starter Charlie Haeger still not impressing, Billingsley’s performance was a much-needed boost to the struggling rotation.

-- Steve Dilbeck