The Atlanta Braves lost their first series in exactly one month on Sunday, falling to Chad Billingsley and the LA Dodgers by a score of 5-0. After a thrilling win in extra innings on Friday night, Atlanta scored just two runs in the final two games of the series, failing to record a hit with a runner in scoring position (0-for-12).
Mike Minor was sharp yet again this afternoon. The young lefty worked seven innings of one-run ball, surrendering the lone run on a solo homer to Juan Cruz in the fifth inning. Minor allowed five hits, all while striking out two and not walking a batter.
Since July 1, Minor's ERA is 2.29.
Billingsley was simply too good on this day. He also went seven innings, allowing just three hits and two walks. He struck out four. He improved to 5-0 since the All-Star Break.
Los Angeles broke the game open late. With the score still 1-0 in the eighth, Mark Ellis drove home a run on a pop fly to right. Jason Heyward lost the ball in the sun and it dropped in for a hit. Mark Ellis essentially sealed the deal in the ninth with a three-run double down the left field line to make it 5-0.
The Braves now head to Washington for a huge three-game series with the Nationals.