Billingsley Implodes as Dodgers Drop Third Straight

The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 10-0, their third loss in a row and their first three-game losing streak. Chad Billingsley cruised for the first five innings, but he fell apart in the sixth, giving up three hits, four walks, two wild pitches and their first six runs in the inning. The Dodger offense did nothing to help, stranding nine runners while going 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position (the "one" being an infield single). Rafael Furcal, James Loney and Russell Martin each had two hits, and Andre Ethier doubled. Ryan Ludwick and Yadier Molina both drove in two runs, and Matt Holliday had a hit and a run scored.

The Dodgers are rumored to have focused their energy on acquiring George Sherrill from Baltimore, according to various sources. The Dodgers are also reported to have interest in Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay and Jarrod Washburn, though they are considered long-shots to trade for any of the three.

Mark Loretta pitched to two batters in the eighth inning after Brent Leach surrendered four runs. Loretta hit a batter and produced a fly-out.

WBC Dodgers' View: Italian Upset and Dutch Collapse

ITALY 6 - CANADA 2: Team Italy defeated Team Canada, eliminating the Canadians from the WBC. Italy will go on to play Venezuela, and the winner between those two will move on to the next round. Valentino Pascucci struck out twice and walked once for the Italians, who scored a run in each of the first four innings to upset America's neighbors-to-the-north. Russell Martin struck out twice as well. Justin Morneau had four hits, and Jason Bay had Canada's only two RBI's.

PUERTO RICO 3 - NETHERLANDS 1: Team Puerto Rico defeated the Netherlands, and will advance to the next round. The Dutch will have to play a rematch against the Dominican Republic in order to move on. Kenley Jansen went hitless in three at-bats and had an error, but tagged out two Puerto Ricans at the plate on outfield assists. The Dutch had a 1-0 lead going into the bottom of the eighth, but a bases-loaded double from Yadier Molina sent two home to win the game.

All Dodgers are in black