Chad Billingsley was just what the doctor ordered for the Dodgers Monday night.

With the Dodgers bullpen so exhausted they’ve started using Prozac as a reliever, the Dodgers needed Bills to go deep in the game against the Houston Astros. In his last three starts he had not gone longer than six innings with 90 pitches. In fact his last game he went five innings on 113 pitches.

So the fact he pitched a complete game five hitter on 109 pitches in the Dodger’s 10-2 win is nothing short of amazing.

As I’ve noted in my last several posts, the Dodger’s pitching is in trouble. Game Over v.2.0 has been out due to a strained shoulder and neck. Grady Little has been going through AAA pitchers like Tammy Faye (RIP) and her mascara. Both Hendrickson and Prozac have been called upon for relief pitching.

I don’t know what Ned Colletti has in store for the trading deadline, but we sure could use another arm.

As for the offense, they should practice getting extra-base hits off of the Astros. They did a good job in the seventh inning scoring three runs off of two doubles and a single. It’s much easier than having to get four singles to score just one run.

But for the most part, I’m really not that worried about the Dodgers. If they can get some good outings by their starters, they should be all right come September. Offensively the Dodgers lead the National League in batting average. By the way, the Padres are dead last in the NL in batting average. If you can’t hit, you can’t score runs. If you don’t score runs, you don’t win games no matter how great your pitching is.

My 34th birthday present to Nomar: no NoMore GarciaPopUp watch tonight.

AP Photo by David J. Phillip