Game 77 Thread: June 26 @ Diamondbacks, 6.40p

Dodgers start Chad Billingsley, RHP (4-0, 3.26) vs. Edgar Gonzalez, RHP (3-2, 4.35).

Dodgers: 43-33 (2nd place NL West, 0.5 GB, W1)
Diamondbacks: 44-33 (1st place NL West, 0.5 GA, L1)

From Dodgers.com, the scouting report on the starters:

Dodgers: In his first start as Jason Schmidt's replacement, Billingsley looked a lot more like last year's rookie starter than this year's efficient reliever. He walked three and used up 70 pitches in only 3 2/3 innings. But he wasn't easy to hit, allowing only two runs on two hits and coming away with a no-decision. Because he had pitched no more than three innings in any outing this year, the Dodgers weren't expecting much more from him in this start, but he'll need to build up his endurance and limit his pitch counts.

Diamondbacks: Gonzalez will likely get another spot start in place of the injured Randy Johnson, who manager Bob Melvin ruled out for this start despite it being on the day he is eligible to return from the disabled list and his original target date. Melvin said Gonzalez will "probably" get the call depending on if the D-backs need him before then. Johnson's current return date is not set, but this could be Gonzalez's last start. He filled in capably June 16 against the Orioles, giving up one run on two hits in five innings to get the win despite pitching on two-days' rest. He also earned a victory filling in for Johnson on May 25 against the Astros, giving up a run on four hits in five innings.

UPDATE 3.11p: The lineup, from Diamond-Leung's P-E blog, has Garciaparra starting at third, and three youngsters in the lineup (no Kemp start tonight):

Furcal, SS
Pierre, CF
Martin, C
Kent, 2B
Gonzalez, LF
Garciaparra, 3B
Loney, 1B
Ethier, RF
Billingsley, P